THE CZhKB^/KTlOfi 



— OF THE — 



TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 



OF THE 



FOUNDING OF 



OtD X/IRAOUTH, 

MASS. 

INCLUDING THE PRESENT TOWNS OF YARMOUTH AND DENNIS. 

SEPTECDBER 1 AND 3, 
1889. 



YARMOUTH: 

Published by the Committee. 

1889. 



PRESS OF FRED. HALLETT, 
YARMOUTHPORT, MASS. 



JAW s ,9oa "^ 



80635 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Preliminaries, ---... 7 

Anniversary H3^mn, - - - - - - 14 

Abstract of Church History, - - - - 15 

Church Celebration, - - - - - -16 

Historical Sermon, . _ . . . 19 

Words of Welcome, - - - - - - 35 

Address of Greeting, . . . . . 36 

Address of Mr. Joshua C. Howes, - - - 40 

Address of Capt. T. P. Howes, - - - 44 

Address of Rev. Geo W. Osgood, - - - - 49 

Address of Rev. L. P. Atwood, - - - 51 

Address of Rev. C. A. Bradley, - - - - 53 

Letter from Rev. A. K. Packard, - - - 55 

Letter from Rev. Jos. B. Clark, - - - - 56 

Town Celebration, ----- 58 

Prayer of Rev. John W. Dodge, - - - - 62 

Oration of Philip Howes Sears, Esq., - - 64 

Original Hymn by Rev. J. W. Dodge, - - - 82 

Antiquarian Exhibition, _ . . . 83 

Dinner, - - - - - - - 84 



PAGE. 

President Thacher's Address, - - - - 85 

Lieut. Governor Brackett's Address, - - - 85 

Treasurer Marden's Address, - - - - 88 

Mr. Hardy's Address, - - - - - 90 

Dr. Taylor's Address, ----- 92 

Mr. Crapo's Address, - - - - - 98 

Poem by Mrs. Mary M. Bray, - - - 100 

Address by ReY. J. W. Dodge, . - . . 106 

Capt. Thomas P. Howes's Address, - - - 110 

Judge Darius Baker's Address, . - - - 112 

Dr. Thatcher Thayer's Letter, - - - - 112 

Reception and Ball, - - - - -114 

Views in Yarmouth and Dennis, - - - 117 

Appendix, Report of the Committee, 1890, - - 147 



PRELIMINARIES. 



The town of Yarmouth included within its limits 
until 1794 all that is now comprised in the two towns of 
Yarmouth and Dennis. It is the founding of the old town, 
so described, that it was proposed to celebrate and is hence 
called in this memorial — Old Yarmouth. 

In the warrant of the annual town meeting to be held 
February 11, 1889, appeared the following articles : 

"To see if the town will raise a sum of money not to 
exceed one thousand dollars to defray the expenses of the 
two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration of its in- 
corporation." 

"To see if the town will appoint a committee of 
arrangements, with full power to carry out all the necessary 
plans for this celebration, the expenses not to exceed the 
sum appropriated." 

At the town meeting held on the above date the town 
voted almost unanimously to appropriate the sum named, for 
such a celebration, and appointed a committee of ten 
citizens with full powers to act, viz, : 

Henry C. Thacher, Rev. John W. Dodge, 

Daniel Wing, John Simpkins, 

Charles M. Bray, Charles F. Swift, 

Barnabas C. Howes, John K. Sears, 

Thacher T. Hallet, Stephen Wing. 

At the first meeting of the committee, held March 12, 
Elkanah Crowell was elected a member of the committee ; 



Henry C. Thacher was chosen chairman ; Charles F. Swift 
and Elkanah Crowell, vice chairmen ; Daniel Wing, secre- 
tary, and Thacher T. Hallet, treasurer ; Messrs. J. INIont- 
gomery Sears and Nathan Matthews of Boston were voted 
members of the executive committee. 

It was voted to extend a cordial invitation to Dennis to 
join us in our celebration in this town. 

Although it was not deemed best by tlie citizens of 
Dennis to unite in a corporate capacity in the celebration, 
leading citizens of that town entered with enthusiasm in- 
to the undertaking and at once came forward guarantee- 
ing the sum of five hundred dollars towards defraying 
the share of Dennis in the expenses of the celebration. 

At a meeting held March 22, the following gentlemen 
were selected to represent Dennis on the general committee, 
viz, : 

Joshua C. Howes, Thomas P. Howes, 

Obed Baker, 3rd, James S. Howes, 

Luther Fisk, Watson F. Baker, 

Luther Hall, Joshua Crowell, 

Henry H. Sears, David Fisk, 

Edwin Baxter, Samuel S. Baker, 

Warren Snow, T. T. Nickerson, 

Dr. Sam'l Crowell, Dorchester, F. M. Swift, 
P. H. Sears, Boston, F. B. Tobey, Chicago, 

E. H. Cole, Brooklyn. 

At a meeting held April 11, Edward Lewis, Freeman 
Howes, William P. Davis and Dr. Thomas B. Pulsifer were 
added to the general committee. 

At a meeting of the general committee held May 2, the 
following sub-committees were chosen : 

EXECUTIVE committp:e. 

Henry C. Thacher, C. F. Swift, 

T. T. Hallet, David Fisk, 
Elkanah Crowell, Luther Hall, 



9 

LOCATION, HALLS, ETC. 

E. D. Payne, Freeman Howes, Seth H. Hamblin, D. B. 
Crocker, Charles (Toodspeed. 

RECEPTION. 

Fred C. Swift, Obed Baker, 3rd, Cyrus Hall, (Dennis), 
George T. Thacher, C. M. Underwood, Stephen Sears, 
Isaac Myrick, C. S. Knowles. 

LITERARY EXERCISES. 

Thomas P. Howes, C. F. Swift, Rev. J. W. Dodge, Henry 
G. Crowell, Louis B. Thacher, Henry H. Sears. 

DINNER. 

D. D. Kelley, T. T. Hallet, Luther Fisk, Sylvanus 
Evans, L B. Hall, Sturges Crowell, E. B. Hallett. 

PROCESSION. 

John Simpkins, T. C. Thacher, James F. Howes, E. W. 
Eldridge, Charles R. Howes, S. F. Baker. 

MUSIC. 

Charles B. Corey, Joseph W. Hall, W. N. Stetson, 
S. S. Baker, A. H. Eldridge, 2d, F. G. Hall, Mrs. Paul F. 
Sears, Mrs. B. S. Sears, Miss Kate W. Matthews. 

ANTIQUARIAN EXHIBITION. 

Thomas Matthews, Rev. G. I. Ward, Darius Crowell, 
Luther Hall, Stephen Wing, W. F. Baker, Mrs. Wm. J. 
Davis, ]\Iiss Maria Matthews. 

TRANSPORTATION. 

T. W. Swift, E. C. Matthews, A. B. Chase, 2d. 

POLICE. 

Charles M. Bray, Seth Taylor, T. F. Drew, John Small, 
R. H. Hefler. 

PRINTING. 

Daniel Wing, F. M. Swift, C. W. Swift. 

DECORATIONS. 

Charles Thacher, 2d, Samuel H Thacher, Joshua Sears, 
Dr. H. Q. Brigham, John G. Thacher, Miss Ruth Simpkins, 
Mrs. E. D. Payne, Mrs. Watson Thacher, Miss Ruth G. 
Brav. 



10 

. SPORTS. 

Edward F. Pierce, W. J. Davis, Edwin C. Brown, C. 
Ritchie Simpkins, Paul F. Sears, James H. Davidson, B. L. 
Baker, H. D. Loring. 

FIRE WORKS. 

Alfred Gorliam, H. H. Sears, T. T. Nickerson. 

BALL. 

John Simpkins, H. H. Fisk, Samuel S. Baker, Cliarles 
W. Swift, A. C. Snow, D. W. Sears. 

AUDITORS. 

Elkanah Crowell, J. C. Howes, W. J. Davis. 

Luther Hall and Luther Fisk were chosen as vice cliair- 
men on the part of Dennis. 

The Committee made the following appointments for 
the day of celebration : 

PRESIDENT, 

Henry C. Thacher. 

CHIEF MARSHAL, 

John Simpkins. 

CHAPLAINS, 

Rev. John W. Dodge, (at the church.) 
Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, D. D. (at the tent.) 

ORATOR. 

Philip H. Sears. 

POETESS. 

Mrs. Thomas C. Bray. 
Miss Gertrude Alger was invited to write a hymn for 
the occasion, but being unable to do so by reason of illness, 
Rev. John W. Dodge was requested to perform that service- 
The chief Marshal chose the following aids : 
Edmund W. Eldridge. 
Thomas C. Thacher. 
The following committee was appointed to prepare and 
publish a fuUreportof the proceedings of the celel)ration, viz.: 
Henry C. Thacher, Rev. J. W. Dodge, Elkanah Crowell, 
Daniel Wing, Thomas P. Howes.; 



11 

Tlie date of the incorporation of the town was Sept. 3, 
1639, O. S. Eleven days would need to be added to make 
the corresponding date in N. S., but the committee decided 
that as this was to be an old style celebration they would ad- 
here to the original day, and fixed for the occasion Sept. 3, 
1889. 

Invitations were extended to the State government, to our 
representative in Congress from this District, and to the 
Cape Cod Association of Boston. 

The following official form of invitation was widely 
sent to natives of the town and others : 

Yarmouth Quarter-Millenial Celebration. 
1639 1889 

The town of Yarmouth, together with the inhabitants 
of Dennis (which was formerly a part of Yarmouth) proposes 
to celebrate on the third day of September next, the two 
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation. In 
behalf of old Yarmouth, we hereby extend to all of the 
sons and daughters of her original jurisdiction a cordial in- 
vitation to be present and participate in the festivities of the 
occasion. 

For the committee on invitations, 

Daniel Wing, Chairman. 
Yarmouth, July 12, 1889. 



The following announcement for the exercises of the 
day was made in the papers by the executive committee: 

OLD YARMOUTH 

QUARTER-MILLENIAL 

CELEBRATION. 

The 250th anniversary of the settlement of Old Yar- 
mouth, comprising the present towns of Yarmouth and 
Dennis, will be appropriately observed on 

TUESDAY, September 3, 1889. 



12 

Upon the arrival of the special train from Boston, 
about 10 o'clock A. m., a procession will form at railroad 
avenue, and proceed to the First Congregational church, 
where an 

HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

will be delivered by Philip Howes Sears, Esq., of Boston, and 
other appropriate exercises will occur. These exercises are 
open to the public. 

A DINNER 

will be served in a tent north of the school house, by an ex- 
perienced caterer, to which tickets are on sale in the various 
villages and in Boston, after which speeches will be expected 
from His Excellency the Governor, His Honor the Lieutenant 
Governor, Hon. John E. Sanford, Rev. Dr. Taylor, Hon. W. 
W. Crapo, Hon. George A. Marden, Rev. John W. Dodge, 
Hon. Charles S. Randall, Capt. Thomas P. Howes and others 
to be announced. A series of 

OUT DOOR SPORTS 

will be provided and fire works in the evening. 

A BALL 

will be given in the evening at the Nobscuseett House, 
Dennis. 



As the founding of the First Congregational church was 
coeval with the settlement of the town, and the ten existing 
religious societies are in some sense offshoots from it, it was 
deemed best to observe its two hundred and fiftieth anniver- 
sary in connection with the town celebration. Accordingly, 
the following invitation was sent to each of tlie churches 
within the limits of the old town : 

"You are cordially invited to unite with us in celebrat- 
ing the Quarter Millenial Anniversary of the First Church 
in Old Yarmouth on Sunday, September 1. At the morning 
service there will be a Historical discourse, followed by the 
Communion of the Lord's Supper. At 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon there will be a second service and responses to 



13 

greetings will be expected from invited churches of 
Yarmouth and Dennis. A collation will be served in the 
vestry at noon." 

Fraternally Yours, 

John W. Dodge, Pastor, 
Samuel Thachee, 
Edward B. Hallett, 
E. Dexter Payne, 

Isaac B. Gage. 

Committee. 

Yarmouth, August, 12, 1889. 

The invitation was cordially accepted, and the follow- 
ing programme of exercises was prepared by the committee : 

1639 THE 1889 

QUARTER-MILLENTAL 

ANNIVERSARY 

OF THE 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

OF 

YARMOUTH MASS. 
SEPT. 1, 1889. 



PROGRAMME. 

Morning service at a quarter to 11 o'clock. 
Anthem and Doxology. 
Invocation. 
Responsive Reading of the 107th Psalm. 
Gloria Patri. 
Scripture Selections. 
Prayer, Rev. J. Taylor, D. D., of Boston. 
Hymn, 216 Sabbath Hymns, 
"O God of Bethel by whose hand," etc. 
Historical Sermon, by the Pastor, Rev. John W. Dodge, 
Hymn, 1115, "O God, beneath thy guiding hand." 
Lord's Supper. 



14 

Rev. Dr. Taylor and the Pastor officiating. 
Hymn, 1055. 
Benediction. 
Collation served at half past 1 P. M. in the vestry. 
Afternoon service at 3 o'clock. 
Organ Voluntary. 
Anthem. 
Prayer, by Rev. C. A. Bradley. 
Singing by a Quartette. 
Welcome by the Pastor. 
Greetings by the Mother church, extended by Rev. Jeremiah 

Taylor, D. D. 

ANNIVERSARY HYMN. 



BY REV. JOEL S. IVES. 



God of our Fathers, here we raise 
Our grateful hearts in joyful praise ; 
Thy hand hath led us hitherto, 
Thy hand shall lead the journey through. 

Two hundred years and fifty more 
Since there arose by yonder shore 
This ancient church ; she lives to-day. 
Though centuries have rolled away. 

The story of her hopes and fears. 
Her struggles, victories, prayers and tears 
We tell to-day. The bright 'ning page 
Unfolds our goodly heritage. 

Faith, hope and love can never die ; 
Recorded are her vows on high. 
Unnumbered souls — a glorious throng- 
Are witness to our prayer and song. 

Hail Ancient Church ! Lift high thy voice ! 
Through centuries yet to come, rejoice ! 
The Church Triumphant waits, and we 
Shall join the immortal company. 

Responses by Representatives of Invited Churches. 
Reading of Letters, etc. 



15 

Hymn 1116. Sabbath Hymns. 

''O Lord our Fathers oft have tohl," etc. 

Benediction. 



ABSTRACT OF HISTORY. 



OHLTRCn FOUNDED 1639. 



PASTORS 

Rev. Marmaduke Matthews, 
Rev. John Miller, 
Rev Thomas Thornton, 
Rev. John Cotton, 
Rev. Daniel Greenleaf, 
Rev. Thomas Smith, 
Rev. Grindall Rawson, 
Rev. Joseph Green, Jr., 
Rev. Timothy Alden, 
Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell, 
Rev. Abel K. Packard, 
Rev. Joseph B. Clark, 
Rev. John W. Dodge, 



1639-1646 (?) 
1647-1661 
1667-1693 
1693-1705 
1708-1727 
1729-1754 
1755-1760 
1762-1768 
1769-1828 
1822-1851 
1851-1859 
1861-1868 
1868 



The East Precinct was organized into a separate 
church in 1727, receiving the name of Dennis in 1794. 

West Yarmouth became a distinct parish in 1840. The 
church has had four houses of worship. 



THE CHURCH CELEBRATION. 



As the organization of the Chnrch antedated, by several 
months, the incorporation of the town, it was fitting that the 
occasion shoukl be introduced by the church anniversary. 
The morning of the Sabbath, Sept. 1, opened bright and 
beautiful. Nature was in her loveliest attire, — for the sea- 
son had been rainy and the verdure was unwontedly fresh. 
The entire day passed without a cloud to mar its beauty. 
The occasion had been anticipated with great interest, and 
the enthusiam could be felt in the very air. Long before 
the time of service the people began to arrive from the 
various sections of the two towns, nearly all the regular 
services having been surrendered to allow the people to 
avail themselves of the opportunity to attend the anniversary. 
The church was filled to its utmost capacity, settees being 
brought in to allow all available space to be occupied. The 
church had been elaborately decorated with evergreen, and 
on the platform in the rear of the pulpit was an evergreen 
arch, with the inscription : 

1639 ANNIVERSARY 1889. 

Potted plants filled the space around and in front of tlie 
pulpit, with bouquets of cut flowers. The pastor was assisted 
by Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, D. D., of Boston, grandson of 
Rev. Timothy Alden, one of the former pastors of the church. 
The choir was made up of representatives of the different 
societies, and in the forenoon was under the cliarofe of Mr. 



17 

Andrew Eldridge, 2d, cliorister of the First Congregational 

church; in the afternoon, of Mr. Isaac Gorham of New York. 

The program as already given was faithfully carried out. 



The following were the Scripture Selections : 
Hebrews, 11th chap. 1st to lOtli verse, inclusive ; 11th 
chap. 32d verse to 12th chap. 2d vei'se, inclusive; Hehrewa, 
13th chap. 7th to 21st verse: 

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the ev- 
idence of things not seen. 

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were 
framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen 
w^ere not made of things w^hich do appear. 

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacri- 
fice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was 
righteous, God testifying of his gifts : and by it he being 
dead yet speaketh. 

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see 
death ; and was not found, because God had translated 
him : for before his translation he had this testimony, 
that he pleased God. 

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him : for 
he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that 
he is a rew^arder of them that diligently seek him. 

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen 
as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of 
his house ; by the which he condemned the world, and be- 
came heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into 
a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, 
obeyed ; and he went out, not kowing whither he went. 

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a 
strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and 
Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, 
whose builder and maker is God. 

32 And what shall I more say ? for the time would fail 
me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of 
Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought 
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of 
Lions. 



18 

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the 
sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed vaHant 
in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

35 Women received their dead raised to life again : and 
others were tortured, not accepting deliverance ; that they 
might obtain a better resurrection : 

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourg- 
ings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment : 

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were 
tempted, were slain with the sword : they wandered 
about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being destitute, 
afflicted, tormented ; 

38 (of whom the world was not worthy :) they wand- 
ered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves 
of the earth. 

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through 
faith, received not the promise : 

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that 
they without us should not be made perfect. 

Chap. XII. 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed 
about w^ith so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside 
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. 

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our 
faith ; who for the joy that was set before him endured the 
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right 
hand of the throne of God. 

Chap. XIII. 7 Remember them which have the rule over 
you, who have spoken unto you the word of God ; whose 
faith follow, considering the end of their conversation : 

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for- 
ever. 

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doc- 
trines. For it is a good thing that the heart be establish- 
ed with grace ; not with meats, which have not profited 
them that have been occupied therein. 

10 We have an altar, whereof the}^ have no right to eat 
which serve the tabernacle. 

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is 
brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are 
burned without the camp. 

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the peo- 
ple with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, 
bearing his reproach. 



19 

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one 
to come. 

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to 
God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks 
to his name. 

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for 
with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit 
yourselves : for they watch for your souls, as they that 
must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and 
not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 

18 Fray for us : for we trust we have a good conscience, 
in all things w^illing to live honestly. 

19 But 1 beseech you the rather to do this, that I may 
be restored to you the sooner. 

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the 
dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 
through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, 
working in "you that which is well pleasing in his sight, 
through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. 
Amen. 



The Quarter Millenial prayer was offered by Rev. Jer- 
emiah Taylor, D. D., of Boston. 

The Historical sermon was preached by the pastor of 
the church. Rev. John W. Dodge. 

THE HISTORICAL SERMON. 
Romans 9: 7. — '•'■Whose are the fathers.'^ 

It was a bright feather in the cap of the Jew that he was 
descended from the three great patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac 
and Jacob. God had even condescended to name himself 
from them. Their national covenant or constitution had 
been ratified by them. They were only building in all their 
later history on foundations laid by them. God was favora- 
ble to them for the fathers' sakes, and all their prosperity 
was a fulfilling of the mercy promised to the fathers. The 
mountain where their fathers worshipped was almost as 
sacretl on l]ieir account as for the worsliip itself, and even 



20 

the wells they had dug and drunk from were unequalled by 
any of more modern days. And though they lost in later 
times the spirit of those fathers, they garnished their sep- 
ulchres and held their names in veneration. In all this they 
were expressing not merely a national, but a natural instinct. 
Of all peoples it is true that "the glory of children are their 
fathers," and the children of the Pilgrims are by no means 
wanting in this spirit. Especially is this true of the earliest 
churches founded near the original spot of the landing, and 
during the next decade after their arrival. Of them it ma}' 
be emphatically said, "Whose are the fathers." It is to 
honor their memory that we are assembled to-day after the 
lapse of 250 years, and not theirs only or chiefly, but Him 
whose servants they were, "for they got not the land in 
possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm 
save them, but thy right hand and thine arm and the light of 
thy countenance because thou iiadst a favor unto them." — 
Psalms 44 : 3. 

It may be well at the outset, for the satisfaction of my 
younger hearers, to give the reason for the separate recogni- 
tion of this anniversary by the church. Ordinarily in our 
day the organization of the church follows after the settle- 
ment of the town as called for by the growing needs of the 
community. But in the planting of New England the 
church took precedence of the town. They came to enjoy 
freedom for their religion. "They sought a faith's pure 
shrine." The preamble of one of the laws of the Plymouth 
(Colony runs in this way : "Inasmucli as the several town- 
ships were granted by the government in consideration that 
such a company might be received as should maintain the 
public worship of God among them." So the town was or- 
ganized to be a protection for the clnirch, or perhaps you 
may say a pedestal on which the church should rise. So it 
was very natural that no distinct settlement could be recog- 
nized as a toAvn unless it had its church and minister. That 
was the case here. The church anteceded the incorporation 
of the town by several months. And for that reason we do 



21 

well to give it the place of honor. 

I am not called upon to tell the story of the old church to- 
day, for that has already been done on another occasion so 
far as the imperfect state of the records permitted, I design 
only to touch upon some points in the early history that are 
most characteristic, and so bring out as faithful a picture as 
possible of the fathers and their work. 

In 1639, probably in March, the original settlers came 
to Mattacheese in a body, a few having preceded them the 
fall before. Sandwich had been settled in 1637 by a few 
families, but with so little growth that the church was not 
organized till October, 1639, with Rev. Wm. Leveridge as 
pastor, and ten years later had only eleven male members. 
The Barnstable church was organized in London in 1616, re- 
moved with its pastor to Holland in 1608, came to New 
England and settled in Scituate in 1634, and in 1639 re- 
moved to Barnstable with their pastor. Rev. John Lothrop- 
These were their only neighbors for five years, when in 1644 
Eastham began to be settled, though no church was organ- 
ized till Mr, John Mayo from Boston came to them in 1646, 
as a teacher. After that no more new plantations were 
made or churches formed for that century, except an Indian 
church at Mashpee in 1670. 

It may be of interest to associate with the year of the 
founding of this church the fact that it was the first of Mr. 
William Bradford's long and honorable service as Governor, 
of whom it has been said that *'he would have done honor to 
any age." With him in the colonial government as assis- 
tants were Thomas Prince, Miles Standish, John Alden, 
John Brown, Wm. Collier, Timothy Hatherly and John 
Jenney, The saintly Elder Brewster, then an old man of 
eighty, was still the minister at Plymouth, a kind of holy 
father for the younger ministry. (First Baptist church in 
Providence was organized the same year.) 

Let us now for a moment attempt to recall the scene 
that the little handful of pioneers looked out upon as they 
began their work of faith and labor of love in the patience of 



22 

hope. There is more in the landscape here that remains un- 
changed than would be true in an inland region. The same 
romantic charm hovers over these ocean shores that encircle 
the Bay. The sea gull still poises with white, shining breast 
and tapering wings over the purple sands. The mirage still 
plays over the distant prospect in the hazy air, while the 
noble ocean sweep from Manomet to the yellow hills of 
Truro is as glorious as in the days of old. The surf on 
yonder beach breaks in snowy foam and the spray is blown 
back by summer winds in the same youthful caprice of 
eternal freedom. The open marshes spread out their green, 
inviting bosom as they do to-day, inviting^the mower to cut his 
unearned harvest and Lone Tree even then lifted itself as a 
landmark for the measuring lines of the first dwellers on the 
upland borders. All over the spot on which we stand to- 
day, stood heavier growths than any we now witness about 
us, of pine and oak and beech and birch, and perhaps also 
ash and walnut, for the soil had not been exhausted by un- 
thrifty farming. And what is still more difficult for us to 
imagine, the Nobscussett, a mild type of Indian, under their 
sachem, Mashantampaigne, might have been seen anywhere 
by the adventurous stroller in Mattacheese, Hockonom or 
Nobscussett. 

One of the earliest tasks in which their strong arms 
would be enlisted was the building of the meeting house, 
which was at the same time a fort, and was undoubtedl}' on 
the place known so long as Fort Hill, in the neighborhood of 
the ancient cemetery. It was not far from the marsh's edge, 
a log house, 30x40 feet, without glass, but in its stead oiled 
paper for windows, until the little diamond-shaped panes 
were introduced later on. There was no bell. Congrega- 
tions were summoned on Sunday morning by beat of drum. 
The men and women sat apart, the men on the east and the 
women on the west side of the house ; the boj's in a place by 
themselves. At first every church had two ministers or 
elders. One did the preaching and arl ministered the ordi- 
nances, and was the Miiiiislor "par excellence." 'iluMiihcr 



23 

was a teacher, explained the scriptures, and shared in the 
discipline of the church, of which there was a good deal 
more then there is now-a-days. The sermons were about an 
hour long and measured by an hour-glass on the pulpit. The 
children were catechised between the services at noon. 
Ainsworth's metrical translation of the Psalms was used for 
singing till about 1700, when the Bay Psalm Book, one of 
the earliest productions of their Puritan printing press at 
Cambridge, came unto general use in the churches. They 
had no instrumental music, and only about five tunes were 
sung by most congregations. These were York, Hackney, 
Windsor, St. Mary's and Martyrs. As the records of the 
first thirty-five years were destroyed by fire, we have to infer 
from the practice of other neighboring churches what was the 
probable fact here. The only means we have of getting at 
the male membership of this church is by consulting the 
Colony Record at Plymouth to ascertain who were free men 
and had the right to vote. But this is not quite accurate 
here. In the colonies of Massachusetts Bay and Connecti- 
cut it was the law that no one could become a freeman who 
was not in full communion with some church. But here it 
was only necessary to have a religious character. But, of 
course, in that day this was virtually the same. Our fathers 
had but little confidence in any character that, in their 
language, was not "orthodox in the fundamentals of religion." 
I am inclined now to fix the number of the original church 
at less than twenty, but the material, so far as we have the 
means of judging, was worthy of the Pilgrim name. They 
certainly had some excellent building stone for the founda- 
tion of a strong church. Mr. Anthony Thacher was the 
equal, if not the superior, of his pastor, both in ability and ed- 
ucation. He had been with the Colony in Leyden, and suf- 
fered almost as many vicissitudes by land and sea as the hero 
of the Odyssey. His own letter to his brother Peter, describ- 
ing his casting away off Cape Ann, on the island which has 
since borne his name, is full of natural pathos as it is of 
Christian faith. Whittier has told the story of the scene in 



24 

the musical lines of "The Swan Song of Parson Avery," his 
cousin who was with him and perished with his eight 
children. The deliverance of the one was no less fit a theme 
for the poet than the loss of the other. He was one of the 
most valuable members of this society, faithful in every po- 
sition, representing the town for eleven years in the General 
Court at Plymouth. Mr. Thomas Howes, who settled in 
what is known as New Boston in Dennis, was scarcely less 
honored for his high character, not only in this town, but 
throughout the whole colony. His descendants have erected 
a granite shaft to his memory near his old famiW seat in 
Dennis. It is recorded to the praise of Mr. Andrew Hallet, 
another member and the first school-master, that he present- 
ed a cow to the poor of the town, which gift was properly 
recognized by the General Court in 1643. A donation of 
what would be valued now at $300 reflected honor upon the 
church of which he was a member. To these as specimen 
bricks, I must add the name of Richard Sears, the "Pilgrim" as 
he is sometimes called, whose massive monument of granite 
stands in the ancient cemetery 3'onder, and a picture of it 
hangs in this church. He came over with the last of the 
Leyden congregational, ten years after the first landing at 
Plymouth, and took up his residence here in 16l3, settling 
at Sesuit, or East Dennis. For twenty-three years he identi- 
fied himself with the Yarmouth church, honored by public 
office as often as he was willing to accept it. Marrying 
Dorothy Thacher, a sister of Anthony, the descendants in 
both lines have reason to be proud of their Pilgrim stock. It 
was such as these of whom President Porter used this lang- 
uage in tracing the sources of character in one of the noblest 
of the children of this church (Dr. Joseph Eldridge) : "Cape 
Cod has been known for many generations as a nursery of 
men distinguished for high professional ability, for commer- 
cial enterprise, for large-hearted philanthrophy and for self- 
sacrificing piety. The neighborhood of the sea, with its sug- 
gestions of infinitude, with its restless motion and its stir- 
ring life, with the coming and going of its ships (bringing 



25 

strange faces and various products, with its stories of adven- 
ture and escape), tends to liberalize and elevate and stimu- 
late the mind and to ennoble the character when it takes a 
good direction. In devout men it gives ardor and breadth 
and generosity and openness to their piety, and devout wo- 
men are trained by their frequent separation from their hus- 
bands to a constant sense of dependence on God, to a fervent 
faith in prayer, and to habits of self-reliance, circumspection 
and forecast." 

These are specimens of such as we happen to know a 
little better than the rest. It is to be regretted that we 
have no records whatever of the lives of the women who 
equally with the men bore the brunt of the hardship of those 
earliest years. With the descendants of John Alden and the 
thrifty Priscilla among us to this day, it would be gratifying 
to have some definite memorials of the mothers that brightened 
the homes of the new comers — for it is love that transfig- 
ures the toils and privations of any lot, and casts a roseate 
glory over the dreariest landscape, gilding with hope ever so 
uncertain a future. 

The three earliest ministers may be spoken of together, 
as they were all born and bred on the other side of the sea 
and brought to their task the discipline derived from their 
Puritan experience. The first was Mr. Marmaduke Mat- 
thews, the Welchman, the man of ardent temperament, elo- 
quent, though not always logical or worldly-wise. There is 
no good evidence that he was essentially unsound in his 
teachings, though he was complained of to the General 
Court, as were both of his successors. He probably let fall, 
as he says, some "weak and inconvenient expressions," for 
which he humbly apologized and promised to avoid all ap- 
pearance of such evil afterwards. So judicious a writer as 
Nathaniel Morton would not have pronounced him to be an 
able gospel preacher, in a day when they did not fling about 
flattering titles as readily as now, if he had been thought un- 
equal to or unfit for his position. Mr. John Miller, his suc- 
cessor, had trouble from the same free-thinking element, 



26 

making it necessary to call a large council in 1647, but even 
so the trouble was only quieted ; the difficulty was not rooted 
out. Twenty years later it would appear to have been the 
same element that endeavored to prevent the settlement of 
Mr. Thos. Thornton, one of those godly and painful minis- 
ters who had been silenced by the act of uniformity in 1662. 
This time the matter was thoroughly sifted by the Governor 
and assistants, and the minister was completely exonerated, 
and the malcontents severely reproved. From that time to 
this, I believe this church has never been seriously disturbed 
by divisions. It may have been that the latter troubles were 
owing to some extent to the execution of the new law passed 
in 1657, laying a tax upon the inhabitants of each town for 
the support of the minister. Two years before, 1655, they 
had empowered the magistrates to "use all gentle means to 
upbraid all delinquents to do their duty therein," with authori- 
ty to use other means at their discretion with such as "resist 
through plain obstinacy against an ordinance of God." Now 
"distresse was to be made" on such as refuse to pay, and as 
there appear to have been a number of free-thinking settlers 
here from the very outset, this may have made the trouble 
more violent. Against Mr. Miller and Mr. Thornton noth- 
ing could have been alleged derogatory to their services or 
character. They were conspicuous for high character and 
superior education, and the work they did was in every way 
worthy of them. They stood on a level with the best of their 
cotemporaries in the pulpits of the old colony, and it might 
be said of them as in the quaint lines of a poet of one of them 
(John Cotton) : 

"A living, breathing Bible — tables, where 
Both covenants at large engraven were ; 
Gospel and law in his heart had each its column ; 
His head an index to the sacred volume ; 
His very name a title page ; and next 
His life a very commentary on the text. 
O, what monument of glorious worth 
When in a new edition he comes forth ! 
Without erratas, may we think he'll be 
In leaves and covers of eternity." 



27 

And now let us glance rapidly at the forms of truth that 
were held forth in this church in the first decades of its his- 
tory. It is an undoubted fact that there were no formal 
confessions of faith for many years in these churches. 
They were united by a covenant that set forth the essentials 
of Christianity. When persons united with the church they 
made public avowal of their Christian experience. Even the 
churches at their first gathering had no formal creeds, but 
they began to be adopted by one after another after a few 
years. New England theology in the seventeenth century 
was largely moulded by three synods. The first, in 1637, at 
Cambridge had reference to the antinomian heresy. The 
second, in 1648, at the same place, formulated what was 
known as the Cambridge Platform. The third, in 1662, dis- 
cussed chiefly the question of the subjects of baptism and in- 
troduced the Half-way covenant. We associate the West- 
minister Catechism with the earliest years, but though that 
was the substance of their teaching it did not take form till 
seven years after the founding of this church, and was not 
adopted for many years after. Those were turbulent times 
in the churches of the mother country. The long Parlia- 
ment began in 1640 and Cromwell was making a great stir 
with his Ironsides on the bloody fields of Marston Moor and 
Naseby. It was only four years after that the Solemn 
League and Covenant was ratified in Edinburgh, cementing 
the Scotch and English Protestants for the overthrow of the 
Stuarts in England. But all this time the Pilgrim exiles 
were shut up as in a pavilion far from the strife. They "had 
liad no defence," as Mather said, "neither beak nor claw, 
but a flight over the ocean." And here they were doing 
their quiet work of building while the struggle for liberty 
was going on among their brethren in the old home. But 
their creed was essentially that of Calvin. The doctrine 
around which all others revolved was the sovereignty of God. 
Predestination was its corner stone. They emphasized the 
contrast of sin and grace, and fought antinomianism with ener- 
gy, and considered the church as no mere human organization, 



28 

for the Lord God himself was its Head. Their ideal of govern- 
ment was a theocracy, and the magistrate was the medium of 
executing God's will. When carrying out God's authority 
the utmost deference was to be paid to those in authority. 
There was a stern aspect to their teaching and their charac- 
ters, but, as Fronde says, "for hard times hard men are 
needed." They had undertaken a mighty task and felt that 
the Almighty Ruler of the Universe was behind them. They 
were intolerant, always on the watch for heresy, regarding 
it as an "ill egg that might hatch a cockatrice," but why should 
they not dread and defend themselves from that which had 
been the cause of all their trouble ? Heresy as they under- 
stood it was their deadly antagonist. It was simply a ques- 
tion which should hold the ground. Yet it is to the honor 
of the churches of the old colony that they were never rigid 
in their treatment of those who differed from them. "To 
the Plymouth Colony," says Dr. Dexter, "belongs the proud 
pre-eminence of a catholicity of feeling and a moderation of 
rule far in advance of its nearest contemporary colony." 
I should be glad to photograph the men and women 
who were the makers of this ancient church. We are very 
apt to idealize them and picture them as colossal characters , 
and project into them a grandeur they knew nothing of. 
Theirs was the simple, rude pioneer life, of the same nature 
as the Western frontiersmen of to-day — only these have a 
model to work from just behind them, but they, as the Ply- 
mouth poet said the other day, 

"T^^ey i\ad r\o rqodel, but tl\ey left us orie." 

Perhaps we should rub off a little of the glamour if we 
looked in on them in their round hats, blouses and short 
clothes, doublet and hose. The women with their homespun 
dresses, without a waist and gathered only at the neck, and 
their wooden-heeled shoes. How rude their surroundings ! 
There is no paint or paper on the rooms. Not even the 
small diamond-shaped glass, set in lead, at first, in their 
houses. Their trencher shelves display only pewter ware. 



29 

and near by, the iron candlestick, the ink-horn, Bible and 
hymn book. They have no clocks, but reckon their time by 
the sun dial on a post in front of the house. The men who 
had been brought up to more refined pursuits at home did 
not scruple to cut salt grass on the marsh or turn their hand 
to thatching the meeting-house. They had come into the 
wilderness to lay foundations, and their sturdy character had 
no element of daintiness in it. The demands of the outer 
man come first, and it was in these homely ways that they 
were making way for something outwardly noble, and like 
Saul, while searching for the asses they found a kingdom. 
They believed in hard work as a means of grace, and had no 
room for any drones in their hive. The two articles of their 
living creed were — work and worship. There was no non- 
sense about tliem. In the language of the day we should 
say they meant business. This was seen in their coming to 
meeting on Sunday, at the beginning, with their guns. They 
saw no incongruity in praying to God and shooting an Indian 
marauder on the way home. If any one denied the Scrip- 
tures to be a rule of life he was to receive corporal punish- 
ment at the hands of the magistrate (1655). Two men were 
fined ten shillings each for disturbance at the Yarmouth meet- 
ing house, and others five shillings, for smoking tobacco " at 
the end of the meeting house on the Lord's day in time of 
exercise." These are only waymarks. 

They were builders more than fighters. They were 
rearing a commonwealth and at the same time they were 
carrying the gospel to the pagan Indians. For many years 
the southern side of this town was an Indian reservation, 
and it was the favorite work of these churches to bring them 
to the truth of the gospel. This was begun in Mr. Miller's 
ministry and carried forward with much success by Mr. 
Thornton, when there were said to be one hundred and 
ninety-one praying Indians in town, under two native teach- 
ers. In 1765 there were six wigwams in Yarmouth, belonging 
to the church and congregation at Potnumecutt. So, while 
missionary work was not formally organized for many years 



30 

after, this church seems to have been forward in inaugurating 
such a mission and carrying it out to a successful result. 

But while such an enterprise as this indicates that the 
church had a true idea of their mission as an evangelizing 
agency here, it was not in such fields that its greatest value 
is seen. The essential service of a church is seen in the in- 
spiration it givest o the life of the community, intellectual, so- 
cial, political and religious. This church, like so many others 
of those earlier days, was the centre of the best intellectual 
life of the people. 

In the catechetical instruction of the children on Sunday 
noons, (1694) was a training of great importance. So it was 
also the social centre, for meetings of the people were ver}' 
rare, except on Sunday at the church. A living historian 
has said that "the church in its spiritual work, the church in 
its intellectual work, the church in its work with the sword, 
with the plough and with the axe is the soul and spirit of all 
true civilization, of all true liberty, of all true knowledge." 

One of the best illustrations of the truth of this wide- 
reaching statement is a glance at the history of a single local 
church like this, through all the vicissitudes of its life. It 
is a geologic section. It was the church that was the brac- 
ing power in those trying days when they were laying foun- 
dations. It was the church that inspired to public duty. 
The church went forward and stood behind all the great en- 
terprises of the day. In the French and Indian war of 1744 
the pastors were among the first to go forth to the field. It 
was the church that held the people to the task of working out 
freedom by the revolution. "The principle of freedom," says 
Dr. Stubbs, of Oxford, "was brought into the world and pro- 
claimed and made possible by the church." The contribu- 
tions of the east and west precincts in 1774 for the suffering 
citizens of Boston of £5 and X7 respectively, though not 
exclusively from the churches, were due to the high motives 
they inculcated. So the committee chosen in January, 1775, 
"to see that all the resolves of the Continental Congress be 
adhered to" had a deacon in its membership. In raising 



31 

money to purchase arms and ammunition "in this distressing 
day," as they call it, they needed and had the stimulus of re- 
ligion to steady their resistance to tyranny. The same pow- 
er was active as soon as the war was over in reviving the in- 
terests of education that had necessarily languished in the 
meanwhile, and was among the very earliest to arouse to the 
need of a temperance reform, being the second in the state 
to organize for the prevention of intemperance (1817). And 
then last of all, and most important of all, is the sending 
forth of its sons and daughters into all the land, to carry 
with them the Puritan ideas and Puritan characters, to 
mould the institutions of our country in harmony with 
the work of the fathers. 

It is for such a career as this, now slightly outlined, that 
the children of the ancient church recognize her worth and 
gladly meet to do her honor on such an occasion as this. In 
the ongoing of our common life the past is soon forgotten. 
All that is real to us is what is going on now. The men and 
women of old and their work is visionary and far away ; but, 
after all, the essential and permanent experiences were the 
same then as now. The words of Mr. Lowell, with a slight 
change, I can use to-day of the church : 

" Eigt^t ger)eratior\s corqe ar\d goqe 

Frorr\ sileqce to oblivioi], 
Wit^i all tlieir r\oisy strife ar\d stress, 

Lulled iq tl^e graves' forgivir\gr\ess: 
Wl^ile you UqqUeqctiab^y survive 

ln|ii\ortal, alrqost nqore alive. " 

You recall the legend of the seven sleepers of Ephesus. 
In a field, in the neighborhood of the city, a quarry was 
opened on the side of a mountain, some time in the fifth cen- 
tury. As they worked on they came to a cavern with its 
opening filled up with a pile of stones. As they took them 
away, they were surprised by the leaping up of a dog from 
within. Finding their way in, they saw just waking up from 
sleep, seven young men of such a strange appearance that 
they were frightened and ran away. But the young men 



32 

coming to their appetite sent one of their number into the 
city to buy something to eat. Everything was new to him. 
He and his companions had been driven away only yester- 
day, as he thought, by the persecutors, but he could not rec- 
ognize what he saw. Seeing two soldiers coming, he hid him- 
self and was struck with their fantastic uniform and unintel- 
ligible dialect. From the high ground he could look into the 
city, and, strange to say, the great temple of Diana was gone. 
When he came into the city streets everything was new. 
The people, the shops, the costumes of the passers-by — all 
sights and sounds were like those of a foreign land. When 
he offered his coin at a baker's shop, he was suspected, placed 
under arrest and taken to the city court. There he tells his 
story, that he, with a company of Christians, had hid them- 
selves in a cave to escape persecution under the Emperor 
Decius. Their persecutors had followed them and built up 
the entrance to the cave, thinking to bury them alive, and 
this morning the stirring of the stones by some kind 
stranger, had wakened them, and they had come out to find 
necessary food. And then the reality was reported to them, 
that it was two hundred years since Decius died. Things had 
undergone great changes since then. Christianity was the 
ruling religion now, and they were living under tlie protec- 
tion of the Christian Emperor, Theodosius. And when 
the clergy of Ephesus were conducted to the cave, they heard 
from the lips of the rest the story of their times, and 
having told it they gave their parting blessing to the listen- 
ers, and sunk into the sleep which knows no waking. So it 
has appeared to me if the fathers of the first century of this 
church were to appear to us of the tliird, there would be as 
much that would seem strange to them and even more. 
What different roads they would find in place of the soft 
sand they labored toilsomely through ! How the sound of 
the railroad whistle would astonish them, and the rushing of 
the train at lightning speed over the meadows and through 
tlie hills I What would they make of the telegraph wires that 
stretch along by it, and the fact that not only from town to 



33 

town, but round the globe messages are transmitted with a 
rapidity they never dreamed of? Still more would they won- 
der to learn that the four little colonies huddled in small cen- 
tres on the Atlantic shore had expanded across the continent 
and spread along the Pacific through the width of the zone, 
and the handful of believers of all denominations had be- 
come more then twenty millions. I fancy they would stand 
agliast at the changes that had come over the spirit of the 
cliurches. They would think that the tolerance and liberal- 
ity of these times was but a letting down the bars to all li- 
cense of thinking and living ; that the Sabbath they guard- 
ed so jealously was well-nigh wrecked by a return to the 
standard of the pleasure-loving multitudes from which they 
recoiled. And yet in their deep sympathy with the vital 
spirit of Christianity for which tliey stood, they would recog- 
nize the consecration of the church to-day to large, benevo- 
lent and missionary effort on the wide fields of the nation 
and the world, as only an outgrowth of the same spirit that 
led them to abandon friends and country to plant the king- 
dom of (xod in this howling wilderness. And so with the 
first superficial surprise once over they would find that in 
the great essentials of the spiritual life the church of the 
seventeenth was one with the church of the nineteenth cen- 
tury. It is only the forms that liave changed, not the spirit ; 
and though they would seem as strange to us as we would 
have seemed to them, it is only the strangeness that is in- 
evitable in the different stages of the same life. 

On a day like this, we seem to be given a glimpse from the 
highlands of the spiritual life. The richest and tenderest ex- 
periences of by-gone times come hovering back once more. 
We have gathered about the spiritual hearthstone of the 
generations. We almost feel the presence of the unseen 
throng of worsliippers who gather with us here. The fathers 
live again and we are one with them in prayer and psalm. 
We are ascending on the same ladder to their God, and our 
God. The tender silence vibrates with the pulses of their 
spirits. Feet that once reverently walked these aisles, and 



34 

others these have replaced, now tread the golden pavements 
of the New Jerusalem, and their prayers still float in benedic- 
tions above us. How they seem to draw towards us in 
closer fellowship as to-day we gather around the table of our 
Lord, who amid all the mutations of this earthly life is the 
same yesterday, to-day and forever ! The old and the new 
are all one in the hallowed fervors of worship. 

"Sair|ts parted by a tl^oUsarid years 
May l^ere iri hieart err|brace." 

And now one closing word for the present outlook. This 
church and those that have grown out of it — in nearer or re- 
moter relations, and some of different shades of faith and 
forms of worship — are in an important sense the result of 
what the past has been. There is an unbroken continuity 
of life thrugh all the stages of the history. Hardly a fea- 
ture of the early life can be touched without awakening some 
chord in the present. Most important of them is the fact 
that the old church life has been in touch with the great 
movements of the times all the way. The present paramount 
duty is still to keep in working relations with the Christian- 
ity of our day, inspiring and promoting every movement that 
looks to the upbuiling of the one immovable kingdom. We 
need no elixir of life from any foreign source injected into 
the veins of the church to rejuvenate its energies. It is 
for us only to continue to drink deep of the same foun- 
tains of Divine life out of which came the Christian 
Church, and which animated the founders of the church to 
carry on with strength and success the work they have left 
us. And when all the milleniums shall have completed their 
round, and all the links of the chain are complete at last, " un- 
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto 
all generations forever and ever. Amen." 



At the conclusion of the sermon, all were requested, as 
far as possible, to remain at the communion service, wliich 
was participated in by members of all the various churches 
of the two towns. The occasion was a very tender and im- 



35 

pressive one. The remarks of Dr. Taylor in reference to 
those who had gone on before us were very happy and it 
was felt to be promotive of genuine Christian unity thus to 
ignore for once all denominational distinction in remem- 
brance of a common Lord. 

The social hour in the vestry was agreeably passed, the 
guests consisting almost entirely of those who had come 
from a distance. At 3 o'clock the church was again packed 
to its utmost capacity for the more informal exercises of 
the second service. The pulpit was occupied by Rev. Dr. 
Taylor, Rev. C. A. Bradley, Rev. L. P. Atwood, Rev. George 
W. Osgood, Rev. G. I. Ward and the Pastor. After sing- 
ing, and prayer by the Rev. Mr. Bradley of the Universalist 
church, the pastor, Rev. John W. Dodge, spoke the follow- 
ing 

WORDS OF WELCOME. 
My Dear Friends : 

It gives me pleasure, in behalf of this ancient church, 
on the quarter-millenial anniversary of her birth, to vi^elcome 
the children and grand-children to their old church home. 
She may say with the patriarch Jacob, "with my staff I 
passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands. " 
The little church of less than a score, that planted itself by 
yonder shore two hundred and fifty years ago, has expanded 
into ten communions, living harmoniously side by side with- 
in the old territorial limits. As a ray of light is decomposed 
by the prism into its constituejit colors, so the one faith has 
developed here into seven different forms as it has passed 
through the prism of time. It may be that such a disin- 
tegration was inevitable under the given conditions. It may 
require all these various conceptions to give us the complete 
idea. It is at least a high satisfaction that representing, as 
we do, diverse sections of the one army of Christ, we are 
moving on harmoniously together. We recognize a common 
standard — the Bible, and one glorious leader, — Jesus 
Christ. In earlier days it was hardly to be expected that 
separations from the family,tlie one recognized standing order, 
should have been made with entire good-feeling. But the 
softening influences of time have healed whatever asper- 
ities may have existed. We have learned to agree to disagree 
and accord to each other mutual sincerity and honesty. I trust 
it will be one result of this occasion to cement the bond of 
Christian charity, to render our relations together as children 



36 

of one Heavenly Father and fellow-clisciples of a common Lord 
more cordial than ever. 

This a is glad day for the grandmother church. She is in 
her happiest mood, for this is the greatest occasion in all her 
history. She has donned her wedding gown and has her best 
cap on ; she meets you as you gather round the ancestral 
hearth with her heartiest greetings. To express these greet- 
ings she calls upon one of her most beloved sons, who has re- 
turned to honor this occasion and manifest his loyalty to the 
church of his fathers. The grandson of Rev. Timothy Al- 
den, for about sixty years the pastor of this church, will con- 
vey the greetings to the children and grandchildren. I have 
the pleasure to introduce Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Taylor, of Bos- 
ton. 

Then followed the Address of Greeting to the Children 
and Grandchildren of the Ancient Church, by Rev. Jeremiah 
Taylor, D. D. 

THE ADDRESS OF GREETING. 
Fatheks and Mothers, Brothers and Sisters, Mem- 
bers AND Representatives op this Church of the 
Centuries, — 

G-reetings : — It is a happy circumstance, that the inward 
thought and the outward occasion suggest alike, that our 
greetings must needs be the expression of overflowing grati- 
tude, first, that this Mother Church has had the grace of 
continuance to this favored hour. 

In the beginning, planted on the foundation of the 
Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
Corner Stone, she has never swerved from the faith of the 
fathers. "Never dragged the anchor of her youth." We 
see her to-day amid these services so high and holy, not only 
invested with the love, honor and reverence which come 
from rolling suns, as the years have been prolonged, but al- 
so, as clothed upon with those robes of righteousness and 
truth, which constitute the real, the noblest maturity. 

This is the more to be emphasized as we remember the 
times of conflict and peril which have been abroad. The 
period in Ecclesiastical History covered by the century be- 
ginning with 1740 and ending with 1840, was one most mo- 
mentous, especially to the churches of New England. 

Many of those churches, started as was this, in doctrine 
and consecration, have passed from sight or are maintaining 
another gospel. Even here, as in the house of the Interpreter, 
where the Christian Pilgrim saw such wonders unfolded, tlie 



37 

force of destructive agencies was vigorously abroad for a sea- 
son, but grace furnished the needful supply, and the holy 
flame of the altar fire was not extinguished. 

To those who have received this precious, saving faith, 
which has been taught and exemplified here all these years, 
what more appropriate than the refrain of the Psalm which 
has constituted the sacred lesson of the hour, " Oh, that men 
would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful 
works to the children of men ? "Let them exalt him also in the 
congregation of the people and praise him in the assembly 
of the elders. " 

Next, we may bring our joyful greeting, that this church 
has been favored with such a ministry. Thirteen pastors 
have been the leaders and teachers of this flock of God, from 
the beginning. 

The historical discourses given by the present pastor in 
1873, present an admirable portrait of these worthies as they 
have been about their Father's business in this field of labor 
during successive periods of its cultivation. 

And while not divested of human infirmities, endowed 
with different gifts, and toiling with varying success, 
not one failed to do well. The demands of the time 
were faithfully met, the labor done, — that of a true and hon- 
ored servant of the Lord. It is a great thing, — a matter of 
abiding joy, if when running the lines of family ancestry back 
through generations gone, there appears not one individual 
through whom our blood has descended who has left the 
taint of shame or crime. Every face that beams upon us 
from the shadowy past being lovely; every life, pure, exalted ; 
every name good, better than precious ointment. 

Oh! how we compass the world at every point, if we 
have been so begotten, and never have sold our birth-right ! 
You who coiiSLitute the family of God here, actually or as 
representatives of the great and noble past, have no occa- 
sion to blush as you recall the name of your religious teach- 
ers. In lip and life they have been examples worthy of imi- 
tation. There is hope of all the dead that they are crowned 
with Christ, there is assurance of those living, that they are 
walking closely with God, — those who have begotten you 
in the Lord as a right royal spiritual seed. You who are 
old may say with another : 

"My boast is r\ot, tl^at I deduce my birtt] 
Froni loir|s eqtI\roqed, ar\d rulers of tl^e earth), 
But t\igh|er far ii\y proud pretei\sior\s rise 
Tt\e sor\s of parents passed iqto tl\e s^ies." 



38 

Again, we greet you, because there has descended to 
you through the character and conduct of this church and 
ministry such a heritage of peace. That is an interesting, 
and as the subsequent events have shown, a prophetic pic- 
ture of the ministry and people given in the historical state- 
ment already referred to, that during the first eighteen years 
of the life of this church, no legal acts had been passed in 
General Court bearing on the support of the ministry, " for 
such was the good will of the people and such was the zeal 
of the ministry and the devotion of the people, that 
no legal contracts have been necessary between them. " 
And when subsequently legal requirements came into use 
there was manifested no disposition to make them hard and 
rigid arbitrators of right, but rather the handmaids of love 
and tender thoughtfulness. It has interested me much as I 
have learned the method pursued when the new parish, sub- 
sequently called Dennis, was formed. The meeting-house 
was builded, the pastor had his choice to go with the new con- 
gregation or remain with the old. The view taken of the situ- 
ation was rational, wise, kind, benevolent. The widening pop- 
ulation demanded the new organization and place of worship, 
and so all things were made contributary to its prosperity. 
As from the old horne-stead the mother sends forth her daugh- 
ter to her new home, with the heartiest benediction, seeing 
in the change the beloved child's best good, so in these new 
relations of church life a no less harmonious and benevolent 
movement resulted in the formation of the West Church. 
And the blessing of the Lord descended copiously upon the 
people in preparation for the happy result. Of the way in 
which the several other churches have sprung up, bearing 
different names, and fulfilling their chosen mission, we have 
time only to say this, that the mother heartily rejoices in 
all the good her children may be doing, and will be the first 
to grieve when the shadow of a suspicion may arise that wrong 
things are being subserved. Though she esteems most 
highly the precept, first pure, then peaceable, yet her charity 
is broad and kind, as all you will testify who have lived in 
these neighboorhood relations, and have come up hither in 
joyfulness this day. " Blessed are the peacemakers for they 
shall be called the children of God." 

If I have discovered aright the spirit of this foster mother, 
as her children have gone out from her embrace these many 
years, it is voiced in the words : 



39 

"Whieri -we asuqder part 

It gives us ir\Ward paiq, 

But vs^e stiall still be joiried iq t^eart, 

Ri\d l^ope to n^eet agair\." 

Our greetings would be very incomplete, here and now, 
if we leave in the background the responsible and solemn in- 
heritance of religious work, which has been bequeathed to 
those who constitute the life of to-day. 

It will not do to think and speak only of the past — the 
fathers who now sleep — the great and good labors they 
have done. We ascend to the mountain top to face the 
east as well as the west. To exult in the glories of coming 
as well as setting day. 

All true success in life is a force to urge us on to greater 
things in the future. Shame to those children who come into 
possesion of a rich paternal estate, and misimprove and 
squander it. ''Walk about Zion and go round about her : 
tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks ; con- 
sider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generations 
following. For this God is our God for ever and ever, he 
will be our guide even unto death." 

No period in the centuries gone equalled this, in the 
opportunities afforded, and the claims presented for entire 
devotion and vigorous service in bringing this world to Christ. 

"We are living, we are dvwielliqg 
Ir\ a graqd aqd a-wful tiiT|e ; 
Ir\ ar\ age or\ ages tellir\g— 
To be livirig is subliinqe." 

Do we to-day set up a stone in this way of the centuries 
and call it Ebenezer, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord blessed 
us?" Let us add to the inscription in all its breadth of meaning, 
" But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 
See that ye walk worthy of your high vocation, brethren. 

As a final word, — Let us be lifted up to a lofty concep- 
tion of that eternal life which is the future inheritance of the 
church of God . Never is my heart more thankful for 
the doctrine of life and immortalit}' as revealed in the gos- 
pel, than when standing amid the monuments of the buried 
past. "The fathers, where are they, and the prophets, do they 
live forever?" 

Our eyes to-day look over the broad landscape, bound- 
ed by the horizon of two hundred and fifty years. What do 
we see ? Not the multitude of people who have been here, but 
a few only, the representatives of the many, and the graves 



40 

of the rest. And in a few brief years all the living of to-day- 
will be numbered with the dead. The drifting sands which 
flit along the streets, the waves of the restless sea which 
wash the shore, seem more permanent than human life. It is 
the institutions of influence and power, which abide while 
the builders perish from the light, as in the coral islands of 
ocean. How many houses here are older then those who live 
in them! We look beyond these fields so desolate from the 
ravages of sin and death, and are transported to fairer climes 
as we read these assuring words : "For this corruptible must 
put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortali- 
ty : so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption 
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be 
brought to pass the saying, death is swallowed up in victory." 
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, 
and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are 
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in 
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever 
be with the Lord." 

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un- 
movable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foras- 
much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 



The Anniversay Hymn (as given on page 14) was then 
sung by choir and congregation. 

As the oldest daughter of the church, is the church in 
Dennis, the first response was by Mr. Joshua C. Howes, a 
member of the Union church of Dennis, who spoke as follows : 

ADDRESS OF MR. JOSHUA C HOWES. 

While other churches are represented by their ministers, 
it may be well to explain why the church in the old East Pre- 
cinct is represented by laymen. The facts are, that our min- 
ister is in the condition of the man spoken of in the scriptures 
who was invited to a feast, who excused himself by saying, 
he had married a wife and therefore could not come. Jt has 
already been stated, that in the settlement of this territory, 
the church preceded the town. And that the church being 
established, the town was organized partly with the view to 
its support. So was it here — the church preceded tlie town 
in Old Yarmouth, and the church preceded the town in the 



41 

East Precinct. When the East Precinct was established, those 
dwelling upon the borders of the line were permitted to 
choose into which precinct they should go, and as the person 
took with him the property he owned for purposes of taxa- 
tion — there were no straight lines of division — but lines 
followed the course of different lots of real estate as the case 
might be. When Yarmouth was divided and Dennis set off, 
the precinct line was made the town line. Hence the very 
crooked division line between the towns to this day. 

The need of extra accommodation had become so great 
in 1721 that a meeting-house had been built in the East Pre- 
cinct, now Dennis, which was afterwards enlarged, and which 
I well remember. It was a building about 50 x 65 feet in size, 
with a two-story porch upon the south side, through which 
entrance was gained to both auditorium and galleries, which 
extended to three sides of the building. There was a broad 
aisle through the centre, from entrance to the pulpit which 
stood up high, and nearly on a level with the galleries, so 
that the preacher talked down to the people, which was the 
idea prevailing between pastor and people in that age. A 
line of pews about eight feet square followed the wall on each 
side from the main entrance to the pulpit, and the cen- 
tre was taken up by two blocks of pews, one on each side of 
the broad aisle, entrance to which was gained by the broad 
aisle and a narrow aisle between the centre and the 
wall pews. On the west side, and directly in front of 
the pulpit, were three long seats for the old men. And what 
venerable old men they were to my youthful eyes ! Veritable 
pictures of " Old Time " in the primer. But an examination 
of the records found upon their gravestones, shows that they 
died mostly between sixty and seventy years of age, several 
of them at fifty-eight. In those days energy and effort was 
needed to bring people to church, for they came long dis- 
tances, from East Dennis, South Dennis and West Dennis. 
At one time I was associated with one of the Baxter family 
of West Dennis on the board of selectmen. I see the other as- 
sociate now before me. Capt. Baxter told me then a great deal 
of his travels down to the old meeting-house on the Sabbath. 
In summer the family would take a boat at their house, and 
row to the head of Follins Pond, and foot it from there to the 
old meeting-house, and after hearing two long sermons, run- 
ning into the seventeenthly, would return as they came. 

There were no carriages in that day, at least what we 
now call carriages. There may have been carts or other vehi- 



42 

cles for horses, but I think not. Work was done with oxen. 
I can remember the first carriage owned in my section of 
Dennis. But there were a few horses, and those who could 
afford them come from long distances on horseback, the man 
in the saddle, and the mother or daughter behind, on a pillion. 
It was a common thing to change on the way, two riding part 
of the way ahead, and then dismount, tie the horse and travel 
on, when others, as agreed, on arriving to the horse, would 
mount and travel to overtake the first and so on. There 
were no fires in the church, and no means of heating, so 
through the intermission at noon, for the purpose of getting 
warm in winter, and in the summer from habit and associa- 
tion, those from far away visited neighboring houses. My 
father's house being one of the nearest, was always filled with 
these people, whose features and manners I well remember, 
and as I was the youngest of the family, a small boy, I was 
the recipient of many a slice of the Sunday cake, or a nice 
red apple from the Sunday lunch bag, which I as well remem- 
ber as any other feature of the visits. If there was time I 
should like to describe to you these old people as they ap- 
peared to me then. There were Searses, Chapmans, Cro wells, 
Bakers, Baxters, Taylors, Halls and many others — but there 
is not time. 

The first settled minister over the East Precinct was 
Josiah Dennis. This was in 1763 and his term of ser- 
vice was thirty-six years. (He may have preached here be- 
fore his settlement.) He was much esteemed by the people, 
so much so that when it became a town, it took its name 
from him. We have now at our church the communion cup, 
one hundred and fifty years old or more, upon which is the 
inscription — "The gift of J. Dennis." At one time there 
came a man to the place who claimed some relationship to 
Mr. Dennis, and he asked us to give him the cup as a family 
memento, and he thought us lacking in generosity and kind- 
ness when we refused. Our regard for the memory of tlie 
giver, and the many good Christians long since gone to tlieir 
eternal rest, who had drank from it, forbade our doing so, 
and we have it still. 

After him came Nathan Stone, who labored forty years. 
Then Caleb Holmes, eight years. These died and were buried 
in the parish burying ground. Next came Joseph Haven, 
twelve years. He was the first minister of which I have 
recollection. He was a worthy man, and I observed him 
with awe and veneration. He had a son, Joseph, two years 



43 

older then m3^self — since professor at Amherst — known by 
some of the clergy here present. We were in the same class 
at school, and I have to acknowledge, he was a better scholar 
than myself. Probably possessed a better intellect, and had 
more help in his studies at home. We nsed to play together 
more or less, as our homes were near, but he was limited in 
his plays as he was a minister's son, and at that period that 
meant a great deal. 

After Mr. Haven came Daniel M. Stearns in 1826, whose 
service was for twelve years, and he was the last settled min- 
ister of the old church. 

During Mr. Haven's ministry dissensions arose in church 
and society and out of them the call to Mr. Stearns was made, 
who was of Unitarian proclivities. Thereupon a split took 
place and a new organization was formed by those of a more 
orthodox faith. This church held their meetings for a while 
in the Masonic Hall. Subsequently the hall was sold, 
moved, and converted into a dwelling house, and a new 
church was built on the site of the Hall. This is the church 
now standing, and occupied by the Union Church Society. 
The Unitanan branch not to be outdone, sold the old 
meeting-house, and erected a new one on the same lot, both 
churches being built at one and the same time. About this 
time, or just before, the Methodists formed a church under 
the name or order of Reformed Methodist, and they also 
built a meeting-house, or as one of their number called it "a 
little praying-house." There was also a number of Univer- 
salists holding their meetings in the school-house. Soon there 
was a division among the Methodists, who had meantime 
changed to the Wesleyan order, and a new church was 
started under the Episcopal organization. For a meeting- 
house, they fitted up what was a store, which was often 
spoken of after as the " gospel shop." 

Thus it will be seen, we had three meeting-houses built 
especially for that purpose, one temporary meeting-house, 
and a school-house, all running at one time. But the zeal 
sufficient to keep all these organizations in good working 
order was not to last. The Universalists after a length of 
time were absorbed by the Unitarians, or went elsewhere. The 
Methodist joined hands and resources. The Unitarians wan- 
ed, weakened, and finally sold their meeting-house to be 
moved and used for other purposes. And then there came 
the consummation of the present state of affairs — the sale 
by the Methodists of their church building, which is now 



44 

Carlton Hall, and the union of all elements of religious faitli 
and tendencies into a society known as the Dennis Union 
Religious Society, for the support and maintenance of religi- 
ous services, and the union of all those of evangelical faith 
into a church known as the Union Church of Christ in Dennis. 
We are restored to the original condition. One church, one 
people. There are no disagreements or discords among us 
that are harmful. We dwell and labor togetlier in peace 
and harmony, and though there may be differences in opin- 
ions, I think we all agree, that the old golden rule " whatso- 
ever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to 
them, " is the best rule to live by, and that that person 
who lives the purest life, and at the same time is the most 
useful, is the happiest person here, and has no overshadow- 
ing cause to be anxious about the life hereafter. 

I thank you in behalf of the old East Precinct for your 
kind reception and entertainment. 

I thank you for this opportunity of uniting with the old 
church in celebrating and commemorating its two hundred 
and fiftieth anniversary. 

May God bless the old church, and all its several branches. 

Capt. Thomas P. Howes, a member of the parish of the 
same society, was invited to add his own reminiscences of the 
past and spoke as follows : 

ADDRESS OF MR. THOMAS P. HOV/ES. 

My Friends : — 

I owe it to the kindness of the pastor of this Church 
that I have the privilege of speaking here to-day. I come 
with something of the feeling of a pilgrim to the shrine of 
his ancestors. I am embarrassed at the thought of the sol- 
emnity of the occasion, and of the audience I am to address. 
A descendant of that historic pair, worthy Jolni Alden 
and sweet Priscilla MuUins, is here to-day. And we have 
Doctors of Divinity and other men eminent for learning, be- 
fore whom I am to speak. 

So it is, I am filled with a sense of my own weakness and 
temerity in attempting to give utterance to what is in my 
mind to say. When the suggestion was first made to cele- 
brate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of this an- 
cient cliurch, I was much interested in having tlie thouglit 
carried out ; and now we are blessed with a splendid day and 
a beautiful sanctuary. My imagination at thi« hour goes 



45 

back to the founders of this church, two of whom were ni}' 
own ancestors. They labored and buikled, and we have en- 
tered into their labors. Great is the contrast between their 
days and ours, between their meeting house and ours. They 
walked and rode miles from the eastern part of the town to 
attend church ; we have no such sacrifice to make. Comfort 
and luxury are ours, where they had hardship and penury. 
But I am invited to speak for the old East Precint of Yar- 
mouth, now Dennis. 

Rev. Josiah Dennis, every one knows, was our first 
minister. The first meeting to arrange for parish organiza- 
tion was held on the last day of P'ebruary 1721-2, when 
twenty-six freeholders met at the house of Nathaniel Howes. 
The house where this meetinof occurred was standing; until 
quite recently. Rev. Josiah Dennis was called in 1725, but 
not ordained until 1727. Mr. Dennis was a man of learning 
and high standing among the ministry of his day. The town 
was named for him and thereby honored itself by thus hal- 
lowing his memory. That he was a person of strong individual- 
ity is shown b}^ the many stories told of him. I have had in 
my possession two short notes of his written to my great- 
grandfather ; they did not refer to any important matters. 
One was in reference to the purchase of salt hay, which he 
remarked was in good demand, and the other concerned the 
loaning of a newspaper, which was a rare treasure in those 
days. The dates on which they were written were 1758-9. 

There is a pretty little romance handed down by tradi- 
tion, relating to his early ministry. It seems that he formed 
an attachment for one Miss Thankful Howes, a daughter of 
Lieut. Jonathan Howes, one of the leading men of the East 
Precinct. An engagement was made, and the young lady 
went to I'oston to attend school and become fitted for the 
pastor's wife. Unfortunately she fell sick and died and was 
buried in Boston. How Mr. Dennis received the news we 
are not told, but years afterwards when the brother of his 
fiance^ Mr. David Howes, had a daughter born, Mr. Dennis 
called to see the babe, with a string of gold beads to put 
around the child's neck. The gift of the beads was attended 
by the request, that the child should be named " Thankful, " 
after his deceased love, and the beads be handed down to 
successive generations of Thankful. The beads are still the 
property of a descendant of Thankful Howes. Mr. Dennis 
became the husband of two wives subsequently, but always 
retained a tenderness for his early love. He once told a broth- 



46 

er of this young woman tliat he never went to Boston 
without visiting her grave. Such was his constancy. Many 
anecdotes are related of his mirthful disposition. His fond- 
ness for having his joke he shared with many of the early 
ministers ; one or two have rather an irreverent sound. On 
one occasion he exchanged with the minister at Eastham ; 
it happened to be at the season when the seamen were about 
sailing on their whaling voyages. On entering the pulpit he 
found quite a collection of notes from persons " desiring pray- 
ers," being bound to sea ; the names seemed to run mostly 
as " Cooks " and " Cobbs." Mr. Dennis looked them over 
and gathered them in his hand, as he arose to commence ser- 
vice, and held them out, saying as he did so : — " Here are 
a parcel of Cooks and Cobbs, who desire the prayers of this 
church and congregation, being bound to sea." One can im- 
agine the smile that spread over the faces of his congregation 
at this announcement. Mr. Dennis was the beloved minister 
of the East Parish for thirty-seven years, and died in all the 
odor of sanctity, lamented as one who had guided his people 
with integrity of heart, and uprightness of character. 

To him succeeded the Rev. Nathan Stone. He was son 
of Rev. Nathan Stone of Southborough and grandson of the 
Rev. Nathaniel Stone of Harwich, now Brewster. He was 
ordained in 1764, his venerable father, of Southborough, 
preaching the ordination sermon. Mr. Stone was a worthy suc- 
cessor to Mr. Dennis. He belonged to a ministerial line and 
illustrated the virtues of his lineage. His pastorate of the East 
Parish extended from 1764 to 1804, a period of forty years. 
It included the Revolutionary era, the division of Yarmouth 
and the formation of the Federal Government. It witnessed 
the departure of many families from his parish to regions 
farther West, and a consequent weakening of his pastoral 
charge. 

Mr. Stone was the preacher to the generation to which 
my father belonged, and many are the conversations I have 
listened to, where Mr. Stone was the topic. I judge the 
preachers of his day were somewhat formal in their pulpit 
exercises. The sermons were intellectual propositions to be 
argued and proved ; the prayers were a set of phrases re- 
peated every Sabbath, so that a person coming in during 
prayer time could tell how far along the prayer had progress- 
ed. But still I have no doubt many souls were strengthened 
by the preaching of Mr. Stone and his word was as a live 
coal to their hearts. He died 1804 esteemed and mourned 



47 

by the peoj^le of his charge and the church of which he was a 
distiiiguislied ornament. 

The Rev. Caleb Holmes was our next minister. He 
was ordained in 1805. I remember reading an account of 
tlie ordination exercises man}^ years ago. The charge was 
given by the Rev. Oakes Shaw of Barnstable, father of the 
late Judge Shaw. The right hand of fellowship was pre- 
sented by Rev. Jotham Waterman of Barnstable. The Rev. 
Mr. Shaw urged the young preacher "to preach Christ, and 
much of Christ, and him crucified." Mr. Waterman said 
" When James, Peter and John perceived that Paul and Bar- 
nabas had received the faith, they gave unto them the right 
hand of fellowship, in remembrance of which, my dear broth- 
er, I now present you this right hand, and welcome you into 
the gospel vineyard, and a rich harvest of souls unto Christ." 
Mr. Holmes's short ministry was acceptable to his people and 
he retained a loving place in their memories ; he died 1813 
and lies buried with his predecessors, Mr. Stone and Mr. Den- 
nis, in our cemetery. 

The Rev. Joseph Haven was ordained in 1814 as suc- 
cessor to Mr. Holmes. In due time he married his prede- 
cessor's widow. Mr. Haven I remember well ; a tall, grave, 
dignified man, devout, sincere and conscientious in all his 
dealings; he commended himself to the community as one 
who adorned the Christian ministry. During his ministry 
the great revival of 1821-22 occurred, the result of which was 
much division of sentiment on doctrinal questions, the advent 
of Methodism for one thing, and subsequently the division 
of the society. It was a time of high religious excitement, 
and exaltation of spiritual feeling. My father was converted 
in 1822, and was soon after chosen one of the Deacons of the 
church and held the office until his death in 1832. 

Being trained up to attend church every Sunday, and 
frequent exchanging of pulpits being the custom, it so hap- 
pens that I can remember nearly all the clergymen who were 
settled in Barnstable County during Mr. Haven's ministry, 
and that of Rev. Daniel M. Stearns, his successor. The aged 
Mr. Timothy Alden I can reccollect of seeing at our church in 
Dennis about 1824. It was at a meeeing of an Association 
of ministers, I think. He wore his white wig on that occasion 
and was the object of veneration and affectionate regard of 
the assembly. I remember his funeral and my father going 
to Yarmouth to be present at the exercises. His son, Rev. 
Martin Alden, often supplied the pulpit in Dennis. 



48 

The minister at Provincetown for many years was Rev. 
Nathaniel Stone, a son of Rev. Nathan Stone of our parish. 
He was frequently in our pulpit, as he had two brothers and 
a sister living in Dennis. 

At Truro, preached Rev. Jude Damon, who occasionally 
filled our pulpit. He preached in Truro forty-two years, re- 
spected and beloved. 

At Eastham was settled the Rev. Philander Shaw, who 
often exchanged with our minister, and no preacher attracted 
my attention like Mr. Shaw. He was a favorite speaker with 
our people ; his prayers usually flowed on in the same rhet- 
orical phrases and wound up with the same supplication : — 
" And now, O Lord, what wait we for? Our hope is in thee. 
May all parts of divine service be performed to our edifica- 
tion and thy divine acceptance. May we sing another of 
the songs of Zion with raised affections and elevated devo- 
tions. Hear our prayers, accept our praises and forgive us 
our sins." These sentences were always repeated. His fav- 
orite hymn was Cowper's, beginning "God moves in a myste- 
rious way, His wonders to perform." He prayed with his 
eyes open, gazing around over the congregation. The last 
sermon he preached in Dennis, his text was : — " And Terah 
died in Haran." Altogether Mr. Shaw was a unique figure 
in the pulpit ; his ministry lasted forty-one years. 

The minister at Orleans over the Orthodox church for 
twenty years was the Rev. Daniel Johnson ; he was a tall, 
dark, saturnine man ; the doctrines he preached were very 
satisfactory to my father, who was strongly Calvinistic in 
his theology. " Mr. Johnson, " I once heard him remark, 
" is a spiritual preacher." In 1828 Mr. Johnson removed 
from Orleans. 

At Brewster was settled Rev. John Simpkins. He was 
frequently in our church, where "• With meek and unaffected 
grace, his looks adorned the venerable place." He was a 
person of most saintly mien; his sermons were much admired 
by those who were inclined to Unitarian views. He usually 
read for his morning hymn the one beginning, "Another 
six days' work is done, another Sabbath has begun." He re- 
signed his pastorate in 1831, after forty years of ministerial 
labors. 

Rev. John Sanford was the first preacher at the 
church at South Dennis. He was a person of much 
dignity of manner, and a fine pulpit orator, with a rich, so- 
norous voice and good delivery. He was ordained in 1837. 



49 

Mr. Sanford was one of the first to engage in the crusade 
against intemperance ; I remember his lecturing in our meet- 
ing-house on the subject soon after the reform had com- 
menced, and reading with fine effect the hymn commencing : 
" Behold the wretch whose lust and wine, Have wasted his 
estate." He was succeeded in the South Dennis church by 
Rev. Thacher Thayer, one of the ablest divines who ever fill- 
ed a pulpit in Barnstable County. 

Time would fail me were I to attempt to speak of other 
worthy and pious ministers whom I remember at different 
times officiating in our old meeting-house : Rev. Nathan 
Underwood, of Harwich, a veteran of the Revolutionary war, 
Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell of Yarmouth, Rev. Henry Hersey 
of Barnstable, Rev. Enoch Pratt of West Barnstable ; all of 
them, with one exception, have long since finished their la- 
bors and entered into their rest, but their glorified spirits 
may yet hover over the scene of their earthly toils. 

One of the earliest of my recollections is that of the ec- 
centric Lorenzo Dow coming to our place and preaching from 
the text : " Those that have turned the world upside down, 
are come hither also." I was too young to go to meeting, 
but heard it talked about. This advent of Lorenzo Dow, 
marks to my mind the beginning of an era of change in relig- 
ious thought upon the Cape; but though doctrines may 
change, principles remain. " One generation passeth away 
and another cometh, but the earth abideth forever." To my 
understanding the Apostle Paul struck the key note of true 
religion when he said to his Philippian bretheren : — "What- 
soever tilings are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatso- 
ever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever 
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if 
there be an}^ virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these 
things." 



Rev. George W. Osgood, pastor of the West Yarmouth 
church, was next called upon. 

ADDRESS OF REV. GEORGE W. OSGOOD. 

Respected Pastor of our Mother Church, Dear 
Brethren and Sisters : 

In the name of your youngest daughter I salute you. 
Having been here only long enough to learn how to talk, I 



50 

am unable to entertain you with quaint reminiscences of our 
fathers and mothers. But as a number who have preceded 
me have dwelt so pleasantly on the past, its memories and 
its associations, it may be well for me to think of the present 
and the future. And to this end, let me say to our Ecclesias- 
tical Mother, that your youngest daughter appreciates to some 
extent the God-given doctrines and the character-developing 
polity that we have inherited from our ecclesiastical ancestry. 
We are trying to be true to our inheritance, that the families 
with whom we live may be effectually persuaded to come 
with us, and that all together may become like God as tlie 
days go by, and thus become more and more fitted for our 
glorious eternity, as day by day we are drawing nearer to it. 

We realize to some extent the difficulty of the problem, 
since men persist in beginning with facts and reasoning 
God-ward until in their bewilderment they unite with the 
poet in exclaiming, " the godless look of earth ! " It is for 
us to take a higher position than this, and under God to try 
to bring them up to our level. We realize that we shall often 
find ourselves like a bundle of burning tapers in which the 
lowest attack those higher up, and all together conspire to 
consume the tallest. But we propose, in our measure, to live 
over the life of Him who was, and is, the Light of the world ; 
who always began with God and reasoned out unto fact ; who 
never complained ; who never doubted God's wisdom and 
goodness : who never despaired of the future ; who let the 
origin of sin alone and the issues of sin alone; but who sim- 
ply contented himself with bringing every ounce of iiis spirit- 
ual might practically to bear upon sin itself, that he might 
put an end to it. How it bore upon his great and sympa- 
thetic heart to see his dear fellow-man bending down under 
the weight of sin and guilt and becoming more and more crush- 
ed thereby ; and what a zest of spirit did he bring to 
bear upon the heart of man that greatest force in the uni- 
verse, the almighty dynamics of the redemptive love of God ! 

It is our aim, as a church of the Divine Son of God, to 
illustrate the power of his gospel, to learn to think of God 
as immanent and to imitate our master in reasoning from God 
out unto life until our very existence, beheld from this stand- 
point, shall be transfigured into a constant inspiration unto 
that highest ideal : to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. 
If great material possessions will help us in this line we de- 
sire them ; but if God sees that they would stand in our way, 
then we want to be poor. If social development and Intel- 



51 

lectual power will help us, we would like them ; but if God 
sees that they would hinder us, then we humbly ask to be 
left in obscurity and to have simply good, common sense. 
We want to come so thoroughly under the power of Christ 
that we shall attain to the consciousness of our entire nature. 
Then we shall desire the highest good, and shall go through 
our days with God, even as the ship goes with the wind, with 
the full assurance of faith in him who wants us to go on and 
up. To thiti end we rejoice in living in this beautiful world 
of test, even though (lod does not intend any of his children 
to be continuously comfortable. Even though the ladder is 
steep that he expects us to climb, we rejoice in the climbing ; 
for we look back enough to see that it is darker further down, 
and we look ahead enough to see that it is lighter further up ; 
and thus we want to go'on, aspiring ever, despairing never, 
knowing that God has focused all the rays upon the top- 
most round. 

To keep our spirit calm, we are learning to look not at 
the things which are seen, but at the things which are not 
seen : "for the things which are seen are temporal ; but the 
things which are not seen are eternal." 

In proportion as we realize this, our ideal, we shall feel 
and you will feel, that your youngest daughter is proving 
herself worthy of her ecclesiastical mother. 

Rev. L. P. Atwood was introduced as the representative 
of the first granddaughter church, the church of South Den- 
nis being a colony of the church in Dennis. 

ADDRESS OF REV. L. P. ATWOOD. 

Respected (trandmother : 

We, of South Dennis Congregational Church gladly 
come to memorialize the beginning of a life which made our 
existence possible. 

We do not have the choice of our parents, nor the elec- 
tion of the place of our birth ; yet frequently, from the hon- 
orable record of ancestry, we can look back with gratitude 
and satisfaction, not to say pride, and say, if we had been 
consulted in the case, we should have chosen precisely the 
parents which we had, and the place where we began to be. So 
this day, a grandchild of the venerable Yarmouth Congrega- 
tional Church comes to worship at your sacred altars and ex- 
press satisfaction and joy that such a devout spirit has ani- 
mated our religious life, coming from you. 



52 

We realize, to-day, it is impossible to do honor to your 
name, faith and memory if we have not respected and cherish- 
ed the important scriptural truths for which you lived and 
contended when here you cast your lot, resolved to worship 
and honor God. Therefore, we assure you we have faithful- 
ly relied upon, and taught, at the nuptial shrine, the sacred 
altar, and the " house appointed for all living, "- the same 
great comforting truths which you have ever taught, and the 
same eternal visions of hope and faith beside the honored 
mound, cherishing the ashes of our departed ones. We re- 
member, too, that the history of our life and faith cannot be 
made worthy by mere flattery, much less by fulsome formal 
words, however chosen and refined. Nor ought you to rec- 
ognize any caresses, if we have not honored your faith by the 
spirit in which we have fraternized among ourselves. We 
are not content to be kindly and respectfully recognized b}' 
you, welcomed here to-day to participate in these appropriate 
services, but we are here with free and hearty will to become 
" laborers together " in promoting the truth which is most vi- 
tal to your highest success and spiritual thrift, and which you 
cherish as the necessary quality of resemblance. Every true 
utterance of yours we will echo ; the essential doctrine you 
urge shall find its response in us ; all your holy outreachings, 
to rescue the children of men, and present them to Christ, 
we will imitate ; all you excel in doing we endeavor to do as 
well, since the same spirit animates our hearts and nerves 
our arm. That for which you are ambitious shall kindle our 
ardor. When you come up here to worship, remember we 
are visiting our altars in humble devotion, at the same " com- 
mon mercy-seat." When you pray for the peace and pros- 
perity of those who love God in sincerity and truth, know 
our prayers are ascending for you, invoking grace to ripen in 
you every Christian virtue. We do not ask flattery, nor ex- 
cuse of our faults, but advice and counsel. Yet, it is 
of some worth to have lived through tliese.last fifty years. 
If you grappled with the great essential doctrines of Chris- 
tianity, we have found it difficult to apply them, coming, 
however, through the ordeal with credit, and challenging 
the admiration of those who once only envied. That we 
would provide for perpetuating the faith once delivered to 
the saints, see here our youthful vitality, in the representa- 
tives of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, 
the active laborers in our field earnestly engaged to spread 
vital piety throughout our parish. They constitute an ele- 



53 

ment not at all recognized when this mother of the sur- 
rounding churches was valiant to do her best work for the 
master. They come putting themselves into sympathy with 
this day's memories, to catch whatever of inspiration there 
can be in the touch of these associations, and to become con- 
secrated anew to serve God more effectively hereafter. 

It may truthfully be inferred we have been meeting the 
moral demands of our locality since God's providence has 
committed to us the care of spiritual things in our neighbor- 
hood. But we would not bo lulled to sleep, presuming we 
are essentially correct in faith and practice, because we are 
left undisturiaed. Instead, we desire to be so active and 
efficient in our work, that all good enterprises may look tons 
for co-operation and encouragement. 

We wish we were more in number here today ; but we 
felicitate ourselves in that we have sent out many of our sons 
and daughters to do honorable service in many of our cities, 
and that some are at their homes praying for us to-day, while 
others are absent upon the mighty deep honoring your mem- 
ory and their connection with us. Whatever the future years 
may be, we here and now promise you shall not need to be 
ashamed of us. "The children of the elect sister greet 
thee!" 



Rev. G. I. Ward, of the New Jerusalem church of Yar- 
.mouthport, responded briefly and cordially in behalf of that 
society, but as his remarks were extemporaneous he has not 
been able to recall them. The closing address was by Rev. 
C. A. Bradley of the Universalist church. 

ADDRESS OF REV. C. A. BRADLEY. 

My Christian Friends: — 

My word must be brief. In behalf of the Universalist 
Church of Yarmouth, I express thanks for the kind invita- 
tion to participate in the exercises of this interesting anni- 
versary, and for the cordial greeting which has been ex- 
tended to us. Those who have preceded me have saluted 
this venerable church as the mother and grandmother of their 
respective churches. I do not know that she regards the 
Universalist church as her offspring. If she does recognize 
tlie relationship, I apprehend that she may sometimes have 
regarded her child as wayward and undutiful. Be that as it 
may, we come to-day with our Christian salutation, make 



54 

your rejoicing our own, and with you, out of the past gather 
encouragement for a future of grander achievement. 

The founders of the church which I have the honor to 
represent, were reared at your altar. Hither they came to 
worsliip, bringing their offerings of praise and thangsgiving. 
To it they were very warmly attached ; around it clustered 
many blessed memories, many hallowed associations ; here 
devout parents have brought them to be consecrated to God. 
They have often told me of the spiritual conflicts they ex- 
perienced when they took themselves away from this, that 
they might establish an altar of their own. They left their 
old religious home and their associations with no unkindness 
in their liearts ; it was not because a cloud had passed over 
their vision of faith, — they were not infidels; it was not be- 
cause they disbelieved the Bible which they had been taught 
to reverence, they clung to it more closely as a lamp to their 
feet and a guide to their path ; it was not because they had 
ceased to look to Jesus as the author and finisher of their 
faith, — the name of Jesus had become more precious to them, 
but they left their early religious home because necessity 
was laid upon them, because they were true to their convic- 
tions. They did not question the honesty of those from whom 
tliey separated themselves, but they did assert their own. 
They left to their children a rich legacy of Christian hope and 
assurance. 

And at the present time, whatever our differences, I take 
pleasure in testifying to the most cordial relations existing be- 
tween this ancient church and my own. We meet together, 
not as foes nor as heretics, but in mutual respect, as (-hris- 
tians. And I do most heartily reciprocate the fraternal 
feeling my brother, your pastor, has expressed toward my- 
self and my people. During the many years we have been cb- 
laborers in this field, nothing has occurred to disturb the 
friendly relations which should ever exist between those who 
are striving to build God's Kingdom in the hearts of men. 

It is frequently said that the several Christian denomin- 
ations are rapidly api)roaching each other, and that the time 
is at hand when, as of old, there will be but one creed and 
one church. I do not entertain tiie hope. The fundamental 
principle of Protestanism asserts the right of private judgement 
in the interpretation of the Scriptures. This necessarily leads 
to a diversity of opinion, but it does not necessarily lead to 
spiritual antagonism and hatred. I do not see that we are 
moving toward each other, but I think I do see, and I trust 



65 

I am not mistaken, Jesus is becoming more and more the cen- 
ter of the thoughts and affections of all ; that, as never before, 
we are all beholding his glory as of the only begotten from 
the Father ; that we of all sects, are marching in ever con- 
verging lines directly toward Him who is our Head, and in 
whom our union will be complete. 

May God richly bless this ancient church and, with it, 
all our churches. 



The following letters were then read from the only two 
surviving pastors, Rev. Abel K. Packard, of Greeley, Colora- 
do, and Rev. J. B. Clark, D. D., Secretary of the American 
Home Missionary Society : 

Greeley, Colo., August 26, 1889. 
Rey. J. W. Dodge, 

Yarmouth, Mass. 
My Dear Brother : 

When I received your letter I had a faint hope, and much 
desire, that I might be able to be at Yarmouth at your cele- 
bration. I had mislaid your letter and was not thinking the 
time was so near, till my daugliter brought me Saturday, your 
letter to her. 

" Quarter Millennial ! " I would indeed like to have a 
part in such a celebration, even if I had not the interest in 
Yarmouth I have. Twenty years makes a town or church 
old here. This town was onl}' four years old when I came 
to it. I preached here about as long as at Yarmouth, eight 
years, and seven years have passed since. There are trees here 
planted since the settlement, more than twice as large in 
circumference and height as those I planted in Yarmouth were 
when I saw them last ; as perfect lawns as I can imagine. 
We have three-story brick blocks, street railway, Holly 
water works, steam fire engine, elegant and costly dwellings, 
churches and other buildings lighted, as well as the streets 
and parks, with electricity. We have four newspapers, pub- 
lic library, schools with nearly a score of teachers and eight 
self-supporting churches, and this in the heart of what was 
designated on the maps when I lived in Yarmouth," The 
Great American Desert." 

The years, and the centuries, are both longer and 
shorter than they were in the old times. The last hundred 
years have been more crowded with events, with wants and 
supplies, than the years that went before. They have wit- 



56 

nessed far more changes, and accomplished more results, 
than many centuries preceding. But there is good reason 
for our natural reverence for antiquity. I would love es- 
pecially to help celebrate the history of Yarmouth ; but I 
suspect, if I were to be there next Sunday, my chief inter- 
est in Yarmouth's history would not be about its beginning. 
My heart would get warmest, and my eyes moist, as they 
do now, when I heard, or thought, of Yarmouth as I first saw 
it, and of the men and women and children whom I honored 
and loved as I, personally, knew them. Many of them long 
ago passed into the state of the " blessed dead, " but are 
alive forever more, and often come as vividly to my remem- 
brance as any that remain, or as friends I meet here. The 
old burial place there would have an interest for me beyond 
what it used to have. My associations with the Yarmouth 
church and people have a kind of sacredness in my mind : 
they are happy, sad, and mingled, but generally pleasant. I 
cannot indulge the expression of them in this letter. I beg 
you to convey to the church my hearty congratulations on 
its honorable history, and my earnest wishes for its future 
prosperity, and the assurance that I often remember it in my 
prayers. 

I referred to the rapidity with which towns and commun- 
ities are now founded and builded. I hear much in new 
communities of the responsibility of those who are at the be- 
ginnings. But I often think how the materials for building 
these new towns and churches are brought, like those for Sol- 
omon's temple, ready prepared elsewhere, so that the old 
communities are determining the new. 

My thoughts will be much with you Sunday, and it 
would give me a rare pleasure to be actually with you, and I 
shall desire to learn of the services of the church and town 
anniversaries. 

The Lord greatly bless you and the people and prolong 
your ministry and make it increasingly useful. 

Yours heartily, 

A. K. Packakd. 



New York, August 3, 1889. 
Rev. John W. Dodge, Yarmouth, Mass. 
My Dear Brother : — 
I have held your letter of July 27th, several days, 
hoping for a way out of the complication which seemed to 



57 

forbid my acceptance of your kind invitation. I leave for 
an extended tour in the West, the first week in September. 
This means thirty busy days of preparation in order to leave 
business matters in a forward condition at the office. Just 
at the time of your celebration, I shall be in the thick of this 
work doing last things in preparation for a long absence. I 
do not see in the first place how to be away from home dur- 
ing the early days of September, still less do I see any oppor- 
tunity for previous preparation such as I would desire to 
make, if I were to take the part which j^ou have suggested. 
Therefore I must thank you most sincerely for your kindness 
and for the honor intended and regret profoundly that I can- 
not even take part as a spectator in your quarter-millennial 
celebration. I am thankful every day that my ministry be- 
gan on Cape Cod and in old Yarmouth. I have a feeling for 
that place and church and people that I share with no other. 
Something of this is doubtless due to its being a young min- 
ister's first love. But more, I think is due to the people 
themselves. I do not know where in the world to look for 
nobler men and women than I have seen and known on Cape 
Cod. I wish you would give my kindest regards to the few 
of my old people who still live to keep with you this inter- 
esting day. Most of those with whom I labored are now on 
the other side. I should feel more at home in the cemetery, 
reading their names, than I should in the church. But for 
tlie sake of the fathers and mothers whom I knew, I still 
have a most kindly feeling for their children and extend to 
them my heartiest congratulations upon this quarter-millenial 
anniversary. 

With kind regards personally, I am. 

Truly yours, 

Jos. B. Clark. 



The exercises closed with the singing of a hymn and the 
benediction. The spirit of the occasion was of the happiest. 
No event has occurred in the religious history of the town 
since the earliest days that has tended to promote harmony 
and mutual confidence comparable with this. May its effects 
prove as lasting as they have been happy. 



THE TOWN CELEBRATION. 



The day appointed, September 3, 1889, was exception- 
ally fine. The charm of early autumn was over all the land- 
scape. The waters of the bay reflected the bluest of skies. 
The salt meadows were putting on their earliest shades of 
yellow and brown, while the maples and elms that line the 
street borders were radiant in their brighter hues. It was 
the first memorial day in the annuals of the town, and there 
was a thrill of expectancy in all hearts. The Scotchman 
loves his heathery hills, and the Swiss, his Alpine valleys, 
but not more ardently than does the denizen of Cape Cod 
his sea-girt home. The sentiment of their own poet finds a 
response on occasions like these : 

" We lift tY\e PilgriEqs War cry still 

For Freedorq arid for God, 
Rr^d -wear as proudest title yet 

Tl^e Saqs of old Cape Cod. " 

Animated with such feelings, the children of Old Yar- 
mouth returned to honor the memory of those who came here 
for liberty of conscience, and to lay the foundation of many 
generations. There was a cordial co-operation on the part 
of all to make the occasion worthy of a glorious past and 
wlien the day was over there was but one expression and that 
was — that it had been a grand success. 

The decoration of the town was done under the super- 
vision of Charles Thacher, Esq., the flags and other ornaments 



59 

being furnished by Col. William Beals of Boston. An arch 
decorated with bunting and wreaths spanned Railroad Ave- 
nue. It bore the inscription " Sons and Daughters of Yar- 
mouth Welcome Home " — and "Mattacheese, 1639. — Yar- 
mouth 1889." "Another arch, similarly decorated, near the old 
church, bore the mottoes — " Yarmouth and Dennis honor 
their Common Ancestry to-day," and on the reverse face, 
" Foremost in Enterprise on Land and Sea." The decorating 
of the arches was very tastefully executed by Mr. Joshua 
Sears, of Boston, and contributed gratuitously for the occa- 
sion ; on the old church front were the inscriptions "The old 
Religious Centre ;" " The glory of Children are their Fathers." 
On the residence of Mr. Benjamin R. Howes, the former 
home of Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell, for many years pastor, was 
the inscription " The site of the old parsonage." Mr. A. C. 
Snow's house bore the legend : 

"Of -wl^at avail is plow or sail 
Oq laqd or sea, if freedorq fail." 

The spot on which the first house was erected near the sum- 
mer cottage of Mr. Thomas Thacher was marked by a flag a 
little distance from the street and easily recognized. The 
house occupied by Mr. Benjamin Lovell, that owned by 
Mr. Henry C. Thacher, now unoccupied, at the head of wharf 
lane, and the house occupied by Mr. Eben A. Hallet, being 
the three oldest houses in town were indicated by signs show- 
ing the date of their erection. The Thacher homestead, now 
owned by George T. Thacher, Esq., built in 1686, was also 
appropriately designated. The house in which the brothers 
John, Asa and Oliver Eldridge, well-known shipmasters, were 
born, was fitly marked. Flags spanned the streets at inter- 
vals throughout the town. Citizens vied with each other in 
decorating their houses in the most appropriate ways. Scarce- 
ly a house but had some fitting token for the occasion, giv- 
ing a brilliant holiday appearance to the entire village. 
Among those especially noticeable for their good taste, were 
the following : The Register Office, Charles Thacher, Charles 
F. Swift, E. D. Payne, D. G. Eldridge, Item Office, H. Q. 



GO 

Brigham, Allen H. Knowles, George Otis, Insurance Office,' 
Doane & Guyer, Mrs. Almira Hallet, Isaac F. Gorham, First 
National Bank, Reuben Howes, William P. and William J. 
Davis, Howes Cottage, John Simpkins, Thacher T. Hallet, 
Fred. Hallett, Daniel B. Crocker, Mrs. Clara Sears, George W. 
Thacher, Mrs. Sarah Baker, R. H. Harris, Mrs. Nathaniel 
Matthews, Edward B. Hallet, J. G. Thacher, A. C. Snow, A. 
H. Eldridge, 2d., Phoebe W. Crocker, Zenas H. Snow, Joseph 
Bassett, William D. Loring, Capt. Thomas Matthews, Mrs. 
Lucy Taylor, Mrs. Charles Sears, Kilburn M. Taylor, Mrs. 
Benjamin Hallet, Miss Deborah Hamblhi, A. C. Megathlin, 
H. C. Thacher, Mrs. Alice Matthews, George W. Simpkins, 
George Hallet, George Nickerson, Jr., Joseph H. Bray, El- 
bridge Taylor, H. L. Kern, Seth Taylor, E. S. Waite, Charles 
H. Gorham, David Nickerson, Luther Baker, Miss Martha 
Thacher, Mrs. Edmund Hamblin, Mrs. Edwin Thacher, B. 
R. Howes, Rev. John W. Dodge, Seth H. Hamblin, Mrs. 
Bethiah Whelden, Samuel H. Thacher, Watson Thacher, 
Freeman Howes, John Lundberg, Mrs. Deborah Bray, I. H. 
Thacher, George Hallet, 2d. 



The literary exercises were held in the Congregational 
church, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Long 
before the appointed hour every available seat was taken, 
and crowds of people thronged the grounds in the vicinity. 
It had been arranged that there should be special trains on 
the Old Colony Railroad from Boston, New Bedford and 
Provincetown. Large numbers of people arrived on these 
trains, and many came in private carriages from the imme- 
diately adjoining towns. The invited guests were received at 
the station by Messrs. Fred C. Swift, Obed Baker, George T. 
Thacher, Cyrus Hall, C. M. Underwood, and C. S. Knowles, of 
the Committee on Reception, and were conducted to the car- 
riages assigned to them. The Governor by reason of illness, 
was unable to be present, but the Lieut.-Governor very grace- 
fully and acceptably filled his place. 



Gl 

THE PROCESSION 

formed at Railroad Avenue a little after 11 o'clock A. m., the 
train from Boston having been somewhat delayed. It was 
composed as follows : 

Detachment of Police, under Command of Capt. Charles M. 

Bray. 
Boston Cadet Band, J. T. Baldwin, leader. 

Cliief Marshal, John Simpkins. 

Aids, Edmund Eldridge, Thomas C. Thacher. 

Cavalcade under Command of Capt. Frank Thacher. 

Guests in carriages, Lieut.-Governor Brackett and staff, 

Councillors Mudge and Tufts, 

Treasurer Marden, and other Invited Guests. 

President of the Day, Orator and Chaplains. 

Aged Citizens in carriage, driven by Freeman Howes, Esq. 

Whaleboat gaily decorated, containing Thirteen Girls repre- 

resenting the Original States. 

The line of march was down Railroad Avenue, along Hallet 
street to Main street as far as the First Congregational church, 
the route being necessarily shortened owing to the lateness 
of the hour. The streets were thronged with people, and 
cheers went up at various points along the way, as well- 
known personages were recognized in the passing carriages. 

The exercises at the church were conducted by Rev. 
John W. Dodge. Among those present were his Honor the 
Lieut.-Governor, Councillors Mudge and Swift, Cols. New- 
man, Woods and Bennet of the staff. Treasurer^ George A. 
Marden, Hon. W. W. Crapo, Alpheus H. Hardy, Joshua M. 
Sears, Capt. Thomas Prince Howes, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah^Tay- 
lor. Judge Darius Baker, Capt. Richard Matthews, JoshuaC. 
Howes and others. 

Mr. Charles A. Clark, of Salem, presided at the organ, 
and the chorus was composed of ladies and gentlemen from 
the two towns, under the leadership of Mr. William N. Stet- 
son, of South Yarmouth. 



62 

At a quarter to twelve o'clock the exercises commenced 
with an organ voluntary, by Mr. Clark, which was followed 
by Keller's American Hymn, effectively rendered by Miss 
Emma C. Baker, soloist, supported by the chorus. 

The words of the hymn are as follows : 

"Speed our republic, O Father, on high ! 
Lead us in pathways of justice and right ; 
Rulers as well as the ruled, one and all 
Girdle with virture, the armor of might ! 

Foremost in battle for freedom to stand, 
We rush to arms when aroused by its call ; 
Still as if when George Washington led. 
Thunder our war-cry, We conquer or fall ! 

Faithful and honest to friend and to foe, 
Willing to die in humanity's cause, 
Thus w^e defy all tyrannical power. 
While we contend for our Union and Laws. 

Rise up. Proud Eagle, rise up to the clouds, 
Spread thy broad wings o'er this fair western world. 
Fling from thy beak our dear banner of old. 
Show that it still is for Freedom unfurled ! 

Chorus : 

Hail ! Three times hail to our country, and flag. 

PRAYER OF REV. JOHN W. DODGE. 

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the 
glory, and the victory, and the majesty ; for all that is in the 
Heaven and in the earth is Thine ; Thine is the kingdom, 
O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Thou only 
hast immortality. A thousand years in Thy sight are but as 
yesterday when it is passed, and as a watch in the night. All 
the generations have come forth at Thy bidding. They have 
done that which Thou gavest them to do. They have re- 
flected Thy glory in the use of the light that Thou hast given 
them. 

We give Thee thanks for our fathers, for their faith, their 
courage, their self-sacrifice and their devotion to duty. We 
rejoice in their lofty ideas of the future, towards which they 
wrought so faithfully. They looked for a city that hath 
foundations, whose builder and maker is God. In the day of 



63 

small things they saw the grandeur of the future and grasped 
the greatness of the promise. They built deep and wide the 
foundations of a noble temple. We thank Thee for the 
wisdom that characterized their laws ; that they were led by 
the spirit to translate Thy perfect law into theirs to so large 
an extent, and to fashion their commonwealth after the pat- 
tern that had been given in the Mount. We thank Thee for the 
principles of freedom that animated them from the beginning, 
and especially that they were ready to peril all, that they 
might secure freedom to worship God. 

We thank Thee for the ancestors of this ancient town, 
whose virtues have been perpetuated through eight genera- 
tions to the present. Thou hast been with them on sea and 
land, in prosperity and adversity, in peace and in war. Thou 
hast presided over their deliberations in the interest of pub- 
lic safety, of education and of religion. Thou didst defend 
them in the beginning from the savage. Thou preservedst 
them from threatening famine and pestilence. Thou wast a 
shield to them in weakness. Tlirough Thy fostering care 
their interests upon the sea have been promoted, and they 
have been safely returned again and again from their voyages 
over the treacherous ocean. Thou hast taught them hardi- 
hood and patience by their privations and their toils. Thou 
but made this place a nursery for strong and enterprising 
and self-reliant men and women. Here Thou hast 
trained them to sagacious forecast, to self-sacrifice and to pray- 
er. It has been Thy pleasure, O God, that there should go 
forth from this town, many brave and faithful men and wo- 
men to lay foundations of other towns in our land, to preach 
Thy word, to teach the young, to expound the law, to 
cure the sick, to engage in commerce and trade, and to do 
valiant service in all honorable ways for the whole country. 
May Thy favor still shine upon them wherever they may be. 
Bless the home-coming to-day ! May all hearts be warmed 
anew in social and faternal love around the old hearth-stone. 
May a new devotion to this home of the fathers be awak- 
ened in the breasts of all the sons and daughters who are 
with us to-da3% and may they ever share richly with us in Thy 
blessing, for the life that now is, and the richer inheritance of 
eternal redemption. 

Bless, we beseech Thee, the Chief Magistrate of this 
great Commonwealth ! Be very gracious to him in his pres- 
ent illness. Restore him to health and uphold him in the 
discharge of his high duties. Let Thy favor be upon Thy 



64 

servant, the Lieutenant-Governor, who is with us to-day, with 
his councillors and the officers of his staff. Remember gra- 
ciously all the members of our state government who have 
gathered with us to honor the memory of a noble ancestry. 
Bless the orator of this occasion, who comes back to render a 
grateful tribute to the memory of the fathers, as a labor of 
love. May the exercises of the day be an inspiration and a 
joy to all who participate in them, and may we all who now 
assemble here, be gathered at last in Thy kingdom on high, 
through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. 



After the Quarter-Millenial prayer. Rev. Mr. Dodge in- 
troduced the orator of the day as follows : 

It is a source of great satisfaction that the town has been 
able to secure as the Orator of this occasion a native of the 
old town, and a lineal descendant of one of its most notable 
founders, — Richard Sears, — sometimes called "•The Pilgrim." 
A gentleman born on the ancestral acres, who has himself 
shed lustre on the names he bears, in the profession of the 
law. I have the honor to introduce as the Orator of the 
day, 

PHILIP HOWES SEARS. 

In the light of this auspicious morning, which ushers in 
the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of 
this ancient town of Yarmouth, I greet this great assembly 
that has gathered here for its celebration ; I greet the de- 
scendants of Pilgrim fathers and of primeval emigrants to 
these shores, who have inherited that spirit which makes 
this anniversary so welcome ; I greet the settlers and the 
sons of settlers of later times, who have here imbibed the 
same spirit, and who join with the same heart in honoring 
the primitive fathers ; I greet those who have come hither 
to-day from other dwelling-places to unite with us in com- 
memorating the founding and building of these typical old 
colony communities; I invite you all to lay aside for awhile 
the busy life of to-day, and to live for a brief space with the 
men and the days of old. 



65 

Far away in remote geological ages this long outstretch- 
ed projection of the mainland was gradually formed and pre- 
pared to become eventually the fitting seat of intelligent life. 
In the slow lapse of time all its upland surface from the 
borders of Plymouth to the extreme point of Provincetown 
became covered with a continuous forest, reaching to the 
water's edge, while at the same time its vast tracts of tree- 
less marsh land adjacent to its streams became overgrown 
with luxuriant grass, which for season after season only help- 
ed to fertilize the ever-deepening soil ; for centuries before 
the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock a peculiar race of 
savage men had here found a congenial habitation, roaming 
freely through the unmeasured woodlands for game, drawing 
abundantly from the neighboring bays and brooks a rich va- 
riety of fishes, and cultivating Indian corn upon the isolated 
patches of ground from which they had succeeded in clear- 
ing off the native forest ; in the succession of revolving years 
at length the great year sixteen hundred thirty-nine (A. D. 
1639) arrived when this territory reached the destination for 
which all its previous history had been preparing — it be- 
came the home and theatre of action for a community of civ- 
ilized men. In the Records of the Colony of Plymouth un- 
der the date of January seventeenth (17th) sixteen hundred 
and thirty-nine (A. D. 1639) N. S., this entry appears ; 

" The names of those ^o / \r . a + u th h 

whom the grant of the land at ( ii,. ' rp, /tt , ' 

Mattacheeset, now called Yar- ( ^t ' j ^ 'r^ ■,, ^' 
_ ,, . \ \ Mr. John Crow, 

month, is made. ] 

(1 Plym. Col. Rec. p 108.) 

Under the authority of this grant, Anthony Thacher, 
Thomas Howes, John Crow and their associates proceeded to 
settle and organize the town of Yarmouth. 

What were these men who thus undertook to establish 
a new civil and ecclesiastical community ? What were their 
motives, aims and ideals ? What kind of life did they live 
here in their new settlement ? What did they accomplish in 
their day and generation ? What has been accomplished by 



66 

those who came after them ? What remains to be accom- 
plished in the coming time by those who may here succeed 
them ? What do we owe them, what does the world owe 
them for the work which they inaugurated, and the work 
which they performed? The topics that crowd upon the 
mind at a time like this are manifold and vast, but only a 
hasty glance at the most important of them is possible in the 
flying moments of this occasion. 

The doctrine of evolution has in our times brought the 
principle of heredity into special prominence ; it may be in- 
teresting, therefore, to notice in the outset, the operation of 
this principle in the history of the original Yarmouth and of 
its divided parts, the present Yarmouth and Dennis. 

The whole history of these towns was indeed prefigured 
in the ethnological and the personal character of the prime- 
val settlers. A cursory view of that history will show two 
things most strikingly : it will show in what a remarkable 
manner these settlers and their descendants have illustrated 
the distinguishing traits of all those branches of the Ar3-an 
race that make up the composite people of Great Britain ; 
it will show also how peculiarly, how typically, they have at 
the same time represented the distinctive spirit of the lead- 
ing founders of the Colony of Plymouth and have exempli- 
fied that spirit in their public and private life. The historian 
of Yarmouth and Dennis, in his able and valuable work, has 
given a descriptive catalogue of the dozen or more early set- 
tlers who, through their descendants have continued to be 
represented in the people of these towns and have, in fact, 
determined their history. In that catalogue two, at least, 
Thomas Howes and William Nickerson, came from the county 
of Norfolk, and one, William Hedge, from the county of 
Northampton, counties that were, at the time of the Anglo- 
Saxon conquest of England, settled by the Angles and later 
in part by the Danes, who have both been ever noted for en- 
terprise, courage, independence and practical sagacity, and 
who are wont to take to the sea as if to their native element ; 
two in that catalogue, John Gorham and Richard Sears, 



67 

whose ancestry lived long in France before their appearance 
in England, belonged to the Norman race, which, in addition 
to the characteristics of the Angles and Danes, is said by 
Macauley, to have brought into England the spirit of 
chivalry and a taste for literature ; three in the catalogue, 
Anthony Thacher, Andrew Hallet, and James Matthews' 
came from the southerly counties of England which were set- 
tled by the Saxons, who are described by Mackintosh, in his 
ethnological survey of England, as remarkable for well-bal- 
anued minds and characters, leading to orderly lives and to 
judicious action in public and private ; one, Edmund Hawes, 
came from the city of London, which, while settled at first by 
the Saxons, has been immemorially the great reservoir into 
which all England has poured perpetually its young men of 
mercantile aptitude ; two, John Crow and John Hall, were 
from Wales, whose population belongs to that Celtic branch 
of the Aryan race, which in its early migration across the 
continent of Europe conquered and absorbed into itself the 
pre-historic Turanian inhabitants, a people possessing a more 
emotional and imaginative temperament, which the later Celts 
have inherited, and which sometimes develops, in individu- 
als who are partly of Celtic descent, a talent for invention, a 
gift of wit or a genius for poetry, music or eloquence. Of 
all these divisions of the Aryan race a versatile adaptiveness 
to new circumstances and indomitable energy and pluck in 
meeting new exigencies are, perhaps, the most striking char- 
acteristics. These various traits of character to which I have 
referred, separate or combined, modified, mingled together in 
manifold ways, will be found to reappear continually in the 
history of these towns. 

What now, let me ask, what was it that brought such 
men, so diverse in local origin and in many peculiarities, to 
this place for settlement ? Like most of the colonists of New 
England they quitted their native land through fidelity to 
their religious convictions in order to escape the persecutions 
of the Stuart Kings and the English hierarchy. In coming 
to America, " They sought a faith's pure shrine." They left 



68 

behind the homes of their childhood, the graves of their fore- 
fathers, the society of kindred and friends, the comforts and 
blessings of a civilized community, and they braved the dan- 
gers and hardships of pioneer life in the wilderness, in the 
midst of savage neighbors, for the sake of 

" Freedoir} to "Worsl:|ip God." 

A conscientious sense of duty towards God and the spirit of 
freedom were the controlling motives of their action. With 
these motives were united some hope of spreading the Gos- 
pel among the heathen natives, some hope of enlarging the 
dominions of the British Crown, and especially some hope of 
helping to found a Christian Commonwealth in this New 
World. But why, it may well be asked, did they come to the 
territory of the Colony of Plymouth rather than to the great- 
er and more powerful Colony of Massachusetts Bay ? There 
subsequent conductandhistory clearly show that their course 
in this respect was determined by their sympathy with the 
spirit and policy of the founders of Plymouth and their dis- 
approval of the policy of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. 
Two of the first settlers of Yarmouth had lived long in Hol- 
land and must have known the practice of John Robinson 
and his church at Leyden in holding communion freely with 
Dutch, French and Scotch Protestants and with Puritans of 
the church of England ; they must also have known of those 
wonderful farewell words of Robinson addressed to the part 
of his congregation then embarking for America, in which he 
charged them to follow him no farther than he followed 
Christ, and if God should reveal anything to them by any 
other instrument, to be as ready to receive it as ever they 
were to receive any truth by his ministry, assuring them of 
his persuasion that the Lord had more truth and light yet to 
break forth out of his holy word. A majority of the princi- 
pal settlers of Yarmouth iiad previously lived in the jurisdic- 
tion of Massachusetts Bay and had seen that colony banish- 
ing for the expression of religious opinion John Wheelwright, 
William Aspinwall, Mrs. Ann Hutchinson and her family 
and adherents ; they had seen that the government of that 



69 

colony was a theocratic oligarchy, in which church members 
alone had the right of suffrage and the clergy had the con- 
trolling power and whose legal code and judgments followed 
the laws of Moses in all their seventy ; but in looking to 
Plymouth they saw that no man had been punished for the 
expression of his religious opinions, that all inhabitants of 
" good conversation," being masters of families, were allowed 
to vote, and that the laws were based upon the common law 
of New England, modified by the precepts of the New Tes- 
tament. The acts of the settlers of Yarmouth at a subse- 
quent period prove that their choice of jurisdiction was de- 
cided by this marked difference in the original spirit of the 
two colonies. More than eighteen years later, after death 
had taken away all the great original founders of Plymouth, 
after John Robinson, who was the quickening spirit of that 
Colony though he never came to it, and William Brewster, 
William Bradford, Edward Winslow and Miles Standish had 
all died, when the government of Plymouth, under the 
pressure of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, enacted laws 
for the punishment of the Quakers, the settlers of Yarmouth 
remained faithful to their principles. No Quaker was pun- 
ished or arraigned in Yarmouth ; and, when the authorities 
of the town under the requirements of law laid taxes upon 
all the inhabitants for paying the minister's salary and also 
for enlarging the meeting-house, by vote of the town they 
laid the tax large enough upon the other inhabitants to ena- 
ble them to remit the tax to Quakers. All honor, then, to the 
founders of Yarmouth, who, at that early day, practised 
those great principles of religious toleration which have 
since been embodied in the constitution of Massachusetts 
and in the constitution of the United States. 

Having determined for such reasons to settle within the 
jurisdiction of Plymouth, it was these great tracts of 
meadow and marsh-land affording hay for their cattle, and 
the comparatively large area of planting ground cleared up 
by the Indians and ready for use, that drew them to 
Mattakeeset. 



70 

In the spring and summer of the year 1639 they came 
hither, without their families, to secure the assignment of 
their home-lots and other lands, to build houses and to pre- 
pare the place for permanent residence, living meanwhile in 
booths. Before the summer was ended their hastily con- 
structed houses were ready for occupation, and at the begin- 
ning of autumn they brought their families, and then, but 
not before, they became inhabitants of Yarmouth and the 
real settlement of the town took place. Their life here in 
those early years, though subject to many hardships, was, on 
the whole, remarkably fortunate and prosperous. Finding 
on all sides springs, brooks and ponds of " sweet water," 
they had built their houses near them, and so, blessed with 
good water as well as good air, they had health and long life. 
The raising of cattle for the first twenty years formed their 
most important, practical business, and, while the influx of 
new settlers continued, was very profitable. Next in impor- 
tance was the raising of Indian corn, which had become the 
currency of the colony and which, when planted with ale- 
wives or other fish in the hill, bore abundant crops. The 
other principal products of their lands were rye, barley, 
beans, peas and flax. Orchards soon appeared near every 
house and some of the pear trees set out by them are flour- 
ishing to this day ; new lands were rapidly cleared up for 
cultivation, fences built, roads and lanes opened, their houses 
enlarged and improved, and soon the wilderness "• blossomed 
like the rose." Governor Bradford, though he did not pos- 
sess much of " the vision and faculty divine," was inspired 
to write shortly before his death a descriptive poem upon 
the condition of the colony as it was a few years previously. 
Some passages from this peculiar poem will show the condi- 
tion of Yarmouth : 

"All sorts of grain, which our own land doth jneld, 
Was hither brought and sown in every field ; 
As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans and pease. 
Here all thrive and they profit from them raise." 



71 

" Cattle of ever3' kind do fill the land ; 

Many now are killed and their hides tanned 

By which men are supplied with meat and shoes, 

Or what they can, though much by wolves they lose. 

Here store of cows, which milk and butter yield, 

And also oxen, for to till the field ; 

Of which great profit many now do make 

If they have a fit place and able pains do take. 

Horses here likewise now do multiply, 

The\^ prosper well, and yet their price is high." 

" A cow^ then was at twenty pounds and five 
Those who had increase could not choose l)ut thrive; 
And a cow calf, ten or twelve pounds wotdd give 
As soon as weaned, if that it did but live." 

"And both swine and corn was in great request — 
To the first comers this was a harvest. 
But that which did 'hove all the rest excel, 
God in his word, with us He here did dwell; 
Well ordered Churches in each place there w^ere. 
And a learn 'd ministry was planted here. 
All marvcll 'd and said ' Lord this work is thine 
In the wilderness to make such lights to shine.' " 

" Here were men sincere, and upright in heart, 
Who from justice and right would not depart ; 
Men's causes they would scan and well debate, 
But all bribes and corruptions they did hate." 

MS. poem found among' the papers of Gov. Bradford, 
Mass. Hist. Col. 3 1. p 77. 

To their agricultural pursuits the first settlers immedi- 
ately added another large source of profit by securing the 
numerous "drift whales" that in those days were cast on 
shore within the bounds of Yarmouth, and at a later date 
they originated a new business, which for a hundred years 
proved to be of the greatest value to these towns, and to 
this county and the neighboring counties. This was the 
pursuit of whales in boats and lancing them while still free 
in their native element. This whale fishing in boats their 
descendants carried on until whales ceased to frequent the 
waters of Cape Cod Bay, and then in small vessels they pur- 
sued the whale in the Atlantic Ocean between George's bank 



72 

and the Capes of Virginia, and later in the strait of Belle Isle 
and the river St. Lawrence, until at length the Revolutionary 
war put an end to whale fishery for the inhabitants of Yar- 
mouth. 

But the founders of Yarmouth were not absorbed in 
mere material interests; one of the first things to engage 
their attention was the formation of a well-ordered church 
and the settlement of a devoted pastor. The first Church 
of Yarmouth, organized at once, was started by them upon 
that high course which it has pursued for two centuries and 
and a half. Supplied with a succession of able, learned and 
godly ministers, breaking the bread of life to generation 
after generation, upholding the cause of education, diffusing 
the spirit of true culture, promoting every good work for the 
improvement and welfare of the community, forming out of 
itself new churches of like influence in the remoter parts of 
the original parish, the inhabitants of these towns can never 
be sufficiently grateful to their ancestors for the establish- 
ment and maintenance of such an institution. 

The first meeting-house erected on the southerly side of 
the old cemetery, a short distance from this place, was a 
building of very rude construction. The pastor of the First 
Church, in his able and interesting historical sketch of the 
First Church and its ministers and meeting-houses, has de- 
scribed it as a building of forty feet in length and thirty in 
width with thatched roof; unplastered, unglazed, unshingled, 
unpainted, with windows of oiled paper. What a contrast 
between that small, rude structure and this spacious and 
beautiful temple of worship in which we are now assembled. 
But, I doubt not, our ancestors worshipped as devoutly in 
that building as they would have done in this. They had no 
organ, no musical instruments, no choir, but those of the 
congregation who were able to sing three or four of the sim- 
ple tunes contained in Ainsworth's version of the Psalms, 
sang the same tunes in regular order Sunday after Sunday, 
making melody in their hearts. 



73 

The sermons of the early ministers, of Rev. John Miller, 
the second pastor, of Rev. Thomas Thornton, the third pas- 
tor, were always able and always lengthy, the hour-glass be- 
ing turned twice at least during every sermon. There were 
some in the congregations who dissented from the minister's 
views and adopted very peculiar methods of showing their 
dissent. 

Peter Worden and William Lumpkin were fined 10s. 
each for causing disturbance in the Yarmouth Meeting-house 
on the Lord's day, by talking, it is said, in a low voice during 
service, in a corner of the meeting-house ; Richard Berry 
and three others were fined 5s. each " for smoking tobacco 
at the end of the Yarmouth Meeting-house on the Lord's day 
in the time of exercise ; " William Chase was presented " for 
driving a pair of oxen five miles on the Lord's day in time 
of exercise ; " John Gray and two others were fined thirty 
shillings each " for sailing from Yarmouth to Boston on the 
Lord's day ; " Nicholas Nickerson was punished for defaming 
the minister, and William Nickerson was called to account 
for jeering at religion and disturbing public meetings. And 
yet, when, subsequently, William Nickerson removed to 
Mannamoit, within the jurisdiction of Yarmouth, and there 
preached to those who wished to hear him, the authorities 
never interfered with his preaching. While, therefore, 
breaches of the public peace and breaches of order and de- 
corum, within the sanctuary and without, were most rigidly 
repressed, the worship of God and the expression of religious 
opinion were left free. The founders of Yarmouth had 
solved that problem of ages — the reconciliation of religious 
freedom with civil order, the harmonious union of individual 
liberty and public law. Their administration of civil affairs 
in other respects was marked by singular wisdom and jus- 
tice. The proceeds of the fisheries at Cape Cod were appro- 
priated by the General Court of the Colony to the support 
of education, and the people of Yarmouth soon established 
for themselves that system of common schools which after- 
wards became one of the great distinctions of New England. 



74 

Their treatment of the Aborigines living within the 
limits of the town was so just and kind that the confidence 
and friendship of these tribes were forever secured. Every 
foot of land was fairly bought of them and fully paid for, 
every greivance promptly redressed and the principles of the 
Gospel were preached to them and practised towards them. 
Whatever Indian wars might elsewhere arise, — during King 
Philip's war and all other troubles and disturbances, — the 
native tribes throughout this county remained uniformly pa- 
cific and faithful. What volumes does this speak for the 
justice and Christian conduct of those who then inhabited 
this town and this county ! 

The first settlers of Yarmouth, like the first colonists of 
Plymouth, had a strong disinclination to public office which 
they regarded, not as an honor, but as a trust and grave re- 
sponsibility to be accepted only from a sense of duty or from 
fear of the penalties imposed by law for refusal. If a com- 
petent man could be found willing to undertake such respon- 
sibility, they were sure to re-elect him and keep him in office 
so long as he would consent to it, and thev had no fear of 
finding any irregularities in his official accounts. None such 
were ever known in the Colony of Plymouth. 

Our New England town is a peculiar organism ; it is a 
body politic, a distinct unit having functions within itself 
towards its own members in respect to public health, the 
public peace, the means of inter-communication, the care of 
education, and, in former times, the support of [)ublic wor- 
ship, but it is at the same time an organic part of a larger 
political entity to which it has relations and duties. Yar- 
mouth had such relations for fifty-three years to the Colony 
of Plymouth and to the crown of England, for eighty-four 
years to the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and now for 
more than one hundred years to the Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts and the American Union. The people of Yar- 
mouth regarded and spoke of the Colony of Plymouth as 
"the countr}^ " and, in the performance of their duty 
towards that country, exhibited the highest patriotism. 



76 

They contributed their full share to meet its financial bur- 
dens, they took their full part in the counsels and adminis- 
tration of its government, and in the hour of danger they 
sent forth their soldiers at a moment's warning to fight in its 
service. Within three years after the first settlement, in the 
year 164:2 and again in the year 1645, upon notice from the 
Coloiiial Authorities, the men of Yarmouth marched forth 
at once into the country of the Narragaiisetts in their earli- 
est military expeditions ; and when in the year 1676 King 
Philip's war arose, although Yarmouth was far from the 
scene of hostilities and far from any danger of attack, it sent 
forth under the command of Captain John Gorham, Cap- 
tain Thomas Howes, Captain Michael Pierce and Ensign 
John Thacher, respectively, six successive expeditions 
for the defence of the United Colonies of New England. 
The second of these expeditions was engaged in the great 
Swamp Fight which broke the power of King Philip's allies, 
and the fourth expedition was in the bloody fight at Reho- 
both, in which almost every man was slain. The peaceful 
citizens had been unused to camps and untrained in arms, 
but, like Cromwell's men, they went forth to battle in the 
name of the Lord and in the power of his might. Our an- 
cestors ever felt that they were co-operating in the work 
and plan of Providence ; they belived that they were build- 
ing on this western continent a truer home for posterity in 
all after ages ; they believed that they were helping to found 
a better commonwealth than the world had known ; amid its 
hardships and discomforts there was in their life something 
of poetry, much of heroism ; in all their work they were 
sustained by a lofty consciousness, by high hopes, by noble 
ideals. In looking back at their work from this distance of 
time, who can fail to admire these men? What striking 
qualities they displayed ! What energy, industry and fore- 
cast in their labors upon the face of the earth itself ! What 
enterprise, courage and skill in the development and prosecu- 
tion of the whale fishery ! What justice and Christian char- 
ity in the treatment of their savage neighbors ! What care 



76 
for the intellectual welfare of posterity in the establishment 
of schools ! What regard for the highest interests of man 
in organizing such a church and providing such a ministry ! 
What wisdom in combining religious liberty with civil order ! 
What patriotism and heroism in answering the calls of their 
country in the hour of danger to the sacrifice of life ! They 
made Yarmouth, in their life-time, a typical old colony town, 
and so handed it over to posterity. 

Receiving such an inheritance, how have their succes- 
sors acquitted themselves in the trust? How have they per- 
formed their part on the stage of life ? 

Looking down the long vista of the generations that 
have followed, we shall not find that they have proved un- 
faithful. The patriotic record of these towns is surpassed by 
none. What important service they rendered, especially by 
their whale-boat fleets, to the Province of Massachusetts 
Bay and to Great Britain in King William's war, in Queen 
Anne's war, in the French wars, which resulted finally in the 
overthrow of the power of France in America ! But it is in 
the Revolution and in the war of the Rebellion that their 
brightest record appears. Upon the first news of the battle 
of Lexington, the military companies of the two precincts 
of Yarmouth, one hundred and twenty strong, started forth, 
like minute-men, for the scene of action. When in the year 
1776 the towns were requested to express their opinion, 
whether, if Congress should declare the Independence of 
the Colonies, the people would sustain them in the act, the 
town of Yarmouth, rising in its sovereign authority with 
unparallelled boldness, voted, unanimously, " That the inhab- 
itants of the town of Yarmouth do declare a state of inde- 
pendence of the King of Great Britain^ agreeably to a late 
resolve of the General Court, in case the wisdom of Con- 
gress should see proper to do it." 

The town of Yarmouth and the other towns in this 
county during the Revolutionary war absolutely exhausted 
themselves in furnishing men, money, provisions, clothing 



77 

and other supplies for the army and the cause of indepen- 
dence. 

The action of the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis in 
our civil war it is unnecessary to relate. The resolutions 
passed at their meetings breathed the soul of patriotism ; 
every demand for men throughout the war was promptly 
filled, and much more than filled ; more than forty thousand 
dollars were spent in bounties to volunteers and in providing 
for their families and incident expenses, over and beyond 
what was advanced to the government and repaid ; and the 
men sent forth did honor to their towns. No greater patriot- 
ism, or valor, or heroism was exhibited on the plain of Mar- 
athon, or in the Bay of Salamis, or at the Pass of Thermop- 
ylae, than was displayed by men of Yarmouth and Dennis in 
the battles of the Revolution and on southern fields and 
waters in the war of the Rebellion. The military Captains 
of Europe have expressed great surprise at the facility with 
which the peaceful American citizen is transformed into the 
bold and heroic soldier; but the explanation of this phe- 
nomenon is to be sought in the inherited blood of the Amer- 
ican ; it must be traced back to the fights of the Vikings, to 
the conflicts of Saxon and Briton, of Angle, Norman and 
Dane, to the wars of the Crusaders and the wars of the 
Roses, to wars with Scotland, with France, with Indians, 
with England herself, which together have helped to evolve 
the character of the American of to-day. When the bugle 
of his country calls, it evokes an echo in his breast. 

The system of common schools founded by the fathers 
has been enlarged and improved beyond their utmost con- 
ception and was never better than to-day. The work of the 
schools, too, has been supplemented and extended by the 
several libraries that have come into existence and especially 
here in this place, by the large and beautiful library to which 
so many citizens and natives of Yarmouth have contributed. 
The church which was organized by the fathers, has steadily 
done its work through the successive generations and still 
flourishes in undecaying vigor, doing a fuller and better work 



78 

than ever. Other churches of the same and of different 
creeds have sprung from it, supplying the wants of every 
section, suiting every shade of belief and sentiment, and, 
however differing in some respects, all inculcating that fear 
of God which is the beginning of wisdom, and co-operating 
in that charity which is greater than the faith that can re- 
move mountains. 

But it is the practical pursuits and interests of the peo- 
ple of these towns that have experienced the greatest 
changes, and that have most fully tested the resources of 
their character. After the opening of more fertile lands 
elsewhere had diminished the profits of their agriculture, 
and after the withdrawal of the whale to remoter waters re- 
quired larger vessels than their harbors would admit of, the 
people of these towns on both shores of the peninsula, pre- 
viously to the Revolutionary war, and immediately after it, 
took up successfully the business of cod fishery, the business 
of coasting to southern ports and also the making of voy- 
ages in small vessels to the West Indies, to New Orleans, 
and to the ports of France and other countries of Europe. 
During the Revolutionary war the high price of common salt 
turned the attention of a native of the eastern precinct of 
the town to the question of the practicability of producing 
salt profitably from sea-water through solar evaporation, and 
before the end of the last century he had succeeded in in- 
venting and perfecting a set of contrivances by which tliis 
end was accomplished. The invention of salt-works gave a 
business of great value and profit to these towns and to this 
county and the neighboring counties for nearly fifty years, 
until through the abolition of duties on foreign salt and the 
development of new sources of supply within our own land, 
the business at length ceased to be any longer profitable. 
Meanwhile the growth of the foreign commerce of the coun- 
try and the employment of large American ships in this 
business between the years 1820 and 1861, opened a new 
field for enterprise and character. The shipmasters from 
these towns have had no superiors. They found here a con- 



79 

genial element and came forth with surpassing lustre. En- 
ergy, courage, skill, presence of mind, coolness of judgment, 
commanding authority and high honor, characterized these 
men. Transcendent success in this vocation has made the 
names of Crowell, Eldridge, Hallett, Howes, Taylor, famous 
for masterly seamanship and noble manhood as widely as the 
ocean rolls. But with the war of the Rebellion, American 
ships disappeared from our foreign commerce and the great 
shipmasters found their occupation gone. 

Contemporaneously with the engagement of shipmasters 
from Yarmouth and Dennis in foreign commerce, a part of 
the people of these towns engaged in the mackerel fishery, 
and others, again, in ship-building ; industries that flourished 
much for a time, but, practically came to an end also with 
the Civil war. The coasting trade, which began before the 
Revolutionary war, has undergone many and great vicissi- 
tudes ; the introduction and extension of railroads long ago 
superseded the earlier forms of the business ; but the sagaci- 
ty and enterprise of citizens of these towns quickly took ad- 
vantage of the development of coal mines and the substitu- 
tion of coal for wood and have in recent times built up a 
new coasting business surpassing all that has preceded it. 
Fifty years ago a native of Dennis discovered the art of 
cultivating the cranberry ; and this discovery, revealing a 
better use for the many swamps and marshes throughout 
Cape Cod, has introduced a new industry which brings to 
these towns a greater annual income than any previous 
branch of business. In looking back over the history of 
these changing pursuits we shall be struck with the recuper- 
ative power so constantly displayed. New kinds of business 
have quickly arisen to take the place of the old that had 
succumbed to fate. What inventiveness and sagacity, what 
enterprise, versatility and energy have been shown in meet- 
ing the exigencies of " all-destrojdng time ! " Where such 
recuperative power is shown, there is never occasion to abate 
hope or effort. The capacit}^ that has been able to answer 
the demands of the past, will not be found inadequate to the 



80 

requirements of the future. When the foreign commerce 
of the country in American ships shall be resumed, the sov- 
ereigns of the seas will step forth anew from the shores. If 
the protection of home industry continue to be the national 
policy, the inventive talent here existing will soon discover 
the sort of manufacture suited to these environments. 

The history of these towns is not confined wholly within 
their own local bounds. They have sent forth colonists in 
great numbers to the State of Maine, to Western Massachu- 
setts, to New York, to every state and city in the union, and 
indeed to every part of the habitable globe, who have every- 
where maintained the prestige of their ancestral home. 
They have contributed their due proportional number to the 
learned professions ; they have contributed much more than 
their proportion to the active callings of the metropolis of 
the Commonwealth, and especially to the mercantile calling, 
whose roll of successful and eminent merchants bears the 
names of Thacher, Hallett, Sears, Hawes, Baker and many 
others that have belonged to natives of these towns. The 
complaint is somtiraes heard that these towns have not made 
any like contributions to the ranks of science, literature and 
art. If there be any ground for this complaint, it is for the 
future to remedy. The President of Harvard University has 
called attention to the fact that the County of Barnstable 
sends to college a less proportional number of students than 
do the other counties of the State, and he ascribes this fact 
to the want of an endowed classical school within the coun- 
ty. His explanation is undoubtedly correct, and there is at 
this moment no more important want in this county than of 
the establishment of an endowed academy having a classical 
department supplied with competent teachers, with libraries 
and with engravings, and casts of the best works of ancient 
and modern art, and having also an English department pro- 
vided with scientific apparatus to fit for the profession of 
teaching and for all the higher active callings in the commu- 
nity. Where so much native talent gleams out on every 
side, there is urgent call for its due development. If such 



81 

an Academy were established in one of these towns so cen- 
tral for the whole county, what a mighty power for good 
would arise! What talents would be evoked into new ac- 
tivity ! What genius might be awakened ! What improve- 
ments in practical pursuits and the enterprises of business 
originated ! What elevation and refinement of social life 
promoted ! 

These towns are now organic parts of the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, " The heir of all the ages in the 
foremost files of time." In the front lines of Massachusetts 
civilization a higher and broader cultures, a more complete 
and full-orbed life is gradually rising. New influences are at 
work in our midst. The education now given in Harvard 
College has a comprehensiveness never known before in our 
land ; the great musical compositions of Beethoven, Mozart, 
Mendelssohn, Wagner, are heard in Boston to-day in no less 
perfection than in Vienna or London ; the great works of 
European art are beginning slowly to migrate to our shores 
and to exert their influence on the young as well as the old. 
In the philosophy of Plato, the ends of our rational intelli- 
gence are defined to be the Good, the Beautiful and the 
True. Our ancestors devoted their attention mainly to the 
good, — the good in material things, in civil affairs, in spirit- 
ual concerns and to the true as subsidiary to the good ; but 
the beautiful entered very little into their consciousness. 
To-day the beautiful is taking its place by the side of the 
good and the true — awakening new emotions, aspirations 
and ideals, and helping to elevate, expand and round our 
life more nearly into that integral and symmetrical complete- 
ness which the nature of man and the Author of his nature 
prescribe. This completer life belongs here as well as in 
Boston or Cambridge. Our ancestors, in their day, made 
Yarmouth a typical town of the Old Colony ; it is for their 
descendants to make Yarmouth and Dennis typical towns of 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the twentieth century. 



82 

The oration occupied about forty-five minutes in its de- 
livery and was listened to with close attention throughout, 
by an audience that filled every available spot within the 
walls of the church. Immediately following, an original 
hymn written for the occasion, by Rev. John W. Dodge, was 
sung to the tune of Hamburg : 

ORIGINAL HYMN. 



The sea is Thine and Thine the strand, 
Thy dome o'erarches sea and land, 
And on the billowy pavement's sheen, 
Thy footsteps, mighty God, are seen. 

The rolling waves and sounding shore 
Through forest aisles Thy praises bore, 
E'er human voices broke the charm, 
And uttered first their plaintive psalm. 

The Hand that led the Pilgrims o'er, 
And showed the Rock on yonder shore, 
Concealed in storm our harbor's face, 
And fixed for us a humbler place. 

And yet to us to rear was given, 
One pillar of the mystic seven 
Of Wisdom's house; a nation grand, 
Through coming centuries to stand. 

Our fathers toiled through all the years ; 
They ploughed in faith, they sowed in tears, 
Thy love sustained their fainting strength, 
And gladdening harvests came at length. 

And here to-day the children come 
To find a cordial welcome home; 
And round ancestral altars raise 
Their grateful hymns of love and praise. 

Long live the town— our fathers' pride, 
Where beauty, health and peace abide ; 
May generations yet to be, 
Thy bright millennial glories see. 

The exercises at the church closed at about half-past 
one, and the assembly was dismissed for dinner. 



83 

As many were unable to gain admission to the church to 
enjoy the literary exercises, a varied programme of sports was 
arranged by the committee, and the grounds provided for the 
purpose in the vicinity were thronged nearly all day by eager 
participants in the games. At 9 A. M., was a shooting 
match, with four prizes. At 10 A. m., Base Ball — the North 
Side married men versus the South Side married men. — 
At 3 P. M., the North Side club versus the South Side club. 
The prize medals were engraved, " Yarmouth, 1639 — 
1889." For the young people there were a sack race, pota- 
to race, three-legged race, obstacle race, etc. The honors 
of base-ball were about equally distributed between the two 
sides of the town. In the forenoon the North Side married 
men beat the South Side married men by a score of 21 to 5. 
In the afternoon the South Side beat the North Side club 13 
to 5. 



An Antiquarian Exhibition in the vestry of the Congre- 
gational church consisted of rare and curious articles — 
household utensils, antiquated implements of various sorts, 
and relics of by-gone times, around which was gathered an 
interested throng, continually changing through the day. 



The tent for dinner was pitched on an historic spot, 
just across the street to the north of the School House, on a 
spot of land which had formerly belonged to Rev. John Mil- 
ler, the second pastor of the church. It was one hundred 
and ten feet long by sixty-three feet wide, with a capacity 
for accommodating nearly a thousand guests at the tables. It 
was gaily decorated with flags and streamers, and being visi- 
ble from many points, from its central situation, was an ob- 
ject of attraction to all. Over the entrance was the motto, — 

"We -Will our celebration Keep." 

— King Henry IV. 
The interier was brilliantly trimmed with flags, and set 
off with mottoes in large gold letters on a black velvet back 



84 



ground. The table for invited guests was on a raised plat- 
form on the North Side, over which was the motto, — 

"Feast l^ere awl^ile." 

— Pericles. 
The dinner was served by J. Dooling, of Boston, cater- 
er, and the appointments were superb in every respect. The 
tables were beautifully decorated with cut flowers and pot- 
ted plants, and nothing was wanted to secure a complete suc- 
cess. When the guests were seated, nearly every place was 
filled, the number by count being nine hundred and fifty. 
The Band was in attendance and played choice selections at 
intervals during the afternoon. The following is the 

MENU. 

Fish. 



Boiled Salmon. 
Sliced Tomatoes. 



Green Peas. 



Potato Croquettes. 



Boiled. 
Chicken. Ham. Tongue. Potatoes 
Currant Jell3\ 

Roast. 
Sirloin Beef. Dish Gravy. 
Cranberry Sauce 
Mashed Potatoes. 
Pickles. 

Entree. 
Lobster Salad. 



Turkey. 

String Beans. 
Olives. 



Dessert. 

Frozen Pudding. 

Vanilla. Strawberry. Chocolate. 

Macaroon. Pineapple. 

Ice Cream. 



85 

Orange Sherbet. Raspberry Sherbet. 

Frosted Currant Almond 

Citron Cake. Cocoanuts. 

Fancy Cakes. Macaroons. 

Fruit. 

Bananas. Oranges. Pineapples. 

Plums. Walnuts. Raisins. 

French Coffee. 

The company was called to order by Hon. Henry C. 
Thacher, president of the day, who called upon Rev. Jeremi- 
ah Taylor, of Boston, to invoke the divine blessing. After 
an hour spent in discussing the rich viands, the president 
called the assembly to order and welcomed them in the fol- 
lowing brief remarks : 

PRESIDENT THACHER'S ADDRESS. 

Daughters and Sons of Old Yarmouth : I bid you wel- 
come. I cordially welcome all who have assembled here to 
celebrate this day. I welcome you to this pleasant old town ; 
I welcome you to its shady streets, to its gentle hills, from 
whose tops the eye looks out over the blue waters of the bay 
to that point which marks the southern entrance to the har- 
bor of Plymouth, to the hills of Provincetown, which shelter- 
ed the harbors on whose waters the Mayflower rode, when 
in her cabin was enacted that ever memorable instrument, 
that first written constitution ever adopted by man for self- 
government, that instrument from which are formed all the 
constitutions of our states and the constitution of the great 
and powerful nation, the United States of America. And 
here by the shore of the sea, among our homes, I welcome 
you to all the festivities of the day. 

The president then introduced his honor Lieutenant 
Governor Brackett, who spoke as follows : 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR BRACKETT'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — The Common- 
wealth for which you invite me to respond, seems youthful 
when compared with Yarmouth. 

Its constitution was adopted more than one hundred 
and forty years after the act of incorporation which we com- 



86 

raemorate. It is, therefore, fit that on this occasion it should 
pay to the ancient town the homage ever due from youth to 
age. It delegates to me the duty of bringing to Yarmouth 
on its natal day, its salutations. 

The year 1639 was an eventful one in the history of the 
Cape. Upon a single day in that year, as you all know, three 
of its towns, Yarmouth, Sandwich and Barnstable, were ush- 
ered into being. There was one fact probably not contem- 
plated by the people of that generation, and that was, that 
because of their incorporation on the same day, the two hun- 
dred and fiftieth anniversary and other like anniversaries, 
would naturally fall upon the same day, thus giving to those 
who are invited and might desire to attend both celebrations, 
some little degree of embarrassment. Mark Twain, speaking 
once at a banquet upon the landing of the Pilgrims, com- 
menting upon the fact that he had been obliged to decline 
invitations to like celebrations on the same day, remarked 
that his only complaint against the Pilgrims was, that they 
all landed upon the same day, because, he said, if they had 
not done this, then these commemorative dinners might have 
taken place on different days, and he been able to take them 
all in. 

I understand that the celebration at Barnstable has been 
postponed. I trust that we all shall be invited to attend the 
three hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and all accept, un- 
less prevented by previous engagements elsewhere. 

Yarmouth to-day enters into a new chapter. You, its 
sons and daughters, glorifying in its past, and hopeful for its 
future, have come together in honor of the event. You 
have come together to show by your presence, your regard 
for the town and your reverence for its founders. In the 
spirit of that injunction which commands us to honor our 
fathers and mothers, we also honor the fathers and mothers 
of the town in which we were born or live. They are wor- 
thy of unstinted praise, the men who founded these old 
towns, for the heroism they displayed, for the hardships they 
endured in their pioneer life. By contemplating their con- 
dition, the condition in which they were placed, and in con- 
trasting it with our own, we derive every cause for satisfac- 
tion and contentment for the lot which has befallen us. To 
be permitted to take part in its mighty work, to be borne 
forward on its surging tide, is a boon the like of which has 
not been enjoyed by other generations. Who can measure 
the extent of our obligations to the hardy pioneers who laid 



87 

the foundations of the towns, and gave to mankind a practi- 
cal exemplification of that system of popular government 
which was afterward adopted by the nation, and under which 
it has gone on in triumph for more than a century ? It was 
in the town meeting of the colonial period that American 
liberty was nurtured and the people learned to appreciate 
their rights. It was there that the idea of an independent 
Nation originated and grew, until at length it became that 
living and glorious reality which it at length achieved. It 
is proper, and becoming, and just, that the people to-day 
should embrace every occasion to acknowledge that indebted- 
ness, and pay our grateful tributes to the heroic men who 
laid the foundations of this old town which we honor. I am 
reminded somewhat vividly of my first visit to the town. It 
was several years ago, more than I now care to confess. I 
came to deliver an address in one of your churches, in be- 
half of the New England Freedmen's Aid society. It was 
my first experience in that character, and I came with a great 
many misgivings. I noticed that I was received with a def- 
erence unexpected, and soon ascertained the cause. It hap- 
pened that on that same evening, (Sunday,) a clerical gen- 
tiemen was to speak in Yarmouth. Your paper announced 
the meeting, but for some reason it got "those two children 
mixed," and on taking up the paper, I was somewhat astound- 
ed and shocked to see my full name printed in large letters, 
with the title of Rev. prefixed. It was a dignity to which I 
had no claim, and which I was poorly prepared to sustain. 
I besought my friend, Mr. Swift, to supply me with all his 
spare copies of the paper, and he donated them to me, kindly 
mailed to my classmates scattered around the country, and 
which filled their minds with wonderment, to think that I 
had so suddenly come out with the title of a clergyman. 

It is customary on occasions of this kind, for the Com- 
monwealth to be represented by some one of its officials. It 
is appropriate that this should be. The Commonwealth is 
interested in the town's growth and prosperity, and in the 
character of all its towns, for upon them does not its progress 
and welfare depend ? Its fortune in which all good citizens 
are concerned, is to be just what its people make it. The 
history of Yarmouth thus far in its career has been honora- 
ble and creditable. Its past is secure. May the future be 
worthy of its past, so that when the three iuindreclth anni- 
versary shall occur, the people whose privilege it shall be to 
take part in it, may review the period intervening with the 



88 

same feelings of satisfaction and pride which you now expe- 
rience when you look back to the two hundred and fifty by- 
gone years. 

The president then said : " It is seldom that an election 
occurs in which the majority and minority candidates are 
alike satisfied with the result. Such an election took place 
last autumn, and I now have the pleasure of introducing to 
you, the majority candidate, George A. Marden, Treasurer 
and Receiver-General of this Commonwealth." 

MR. MARDEN'S ADDRESS. 

His Honor, the Lieutenant-Governor, and I, were born 
in New Hampshire. About forty years ago this summer, in 
the town adjoining where I was born, there were men mow- 
ing upon a large meadow. One of them was a good old Bap- 
tist deacon, and he had his hired man in the swath just ahead, 
(he always had him in the swathe just ahead of him,) and 
the hired man came to what seemed to him a suspicious look- 
ing place in the grass, and so he went and set in on the other 
side. The deacon was a man who was always quoting script- 
ure, and he said to the hired man, " the wicked flee when no 
man pursueth, but the righteous is bold as a lion." In a few 
minutes the deacon was making 2. 40 time across the mead- 
ow with a hundred bees after him. The hired man shouted 
out to the deacon, " the prudent man foreseeth the danger 
and avoideth it, but the simple pass on and are punished." 
I had an invitation to come to this celebration some months 
ago. If I had supposed that I was to be brought down here 
as a representative of the State Government, as one of the 
fictions which precede our State elections ; if I was supposed 
to follow His Honor, the Lieutenant-Governor, the prudent 
man would have foreseen the evil and hidden himself, but he 
passed on, and you are being punished. 

What shall I say on an occasion like this? Not sup- 
posing the brunt of the speech-making was to come so near 
to me, I failed to study up the Legislative Manual 
beforehand. At a grocers' picnic, a few days ago, I was 
called upon to represent the Common wealth of Massachu- 
setts, and did it in my feeble way. When we got through 
and were waiting for the train, a man came up and intro- 
duced himself to me ; he was a grocer from New York. He 
said, " Very glad to meet you, sir ; 3^ou know we don't want 
anything real good at such a time as this." And I suppose 
it is fair to presume that you don't want anything real good 



89 

at such a time as this, in the same sense the grocer gave it. 
The celebration commands the attention of every person 
witnessing it. Here the men and women of this ancient 
town, (so ancient that even Governor Brackett can't remem- 
ber the beginning of it ; a town which has only made one 
mistake, and that is giving him his degree as a minister of 
the gospel,) represent the best of the Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts. God bless her ! What is there in all the cata- 
logue of sights, better than a gathering of human beings, and 
in the gathering, what can be better than the men and wo- 
men who comprise what the orator says was the typical town 
of Massachusetts ? Yesterday I came down from the little 
hill town where the deacon was mowing, and twenty of us 
had gathered there to talk over old times. It is a New Eng- 
land town, perhaps a typical New Hampshire town, but not 
like this. I don't know but the soil might be a little better 
than that on which this tent stands ; but for growth of men 
and women, it cannot surpass it. 

The orator told us to-day that there is a recuperative 
energy in this place. The whaling dies out, something 
else springs up, and in these back hills is found a mine which 
beats whaling out of sight. You can't kill Cape Cod, and it 
may be that henceforth we are to see a growth in enterprise 
and population which shall astonish us. Last Sunday I 
would have been willing to swear that there was no place so 
pleasant as the little place where I was born ; to-day 1 should 
make the affidavit with reluctance, because the affidavits be- 
fore me so much outnumber those in the place where I was born. 
I sympathize with Theodore Parker's remark, who being told 
that the end of the world was come, said, " It doesn't concern 
me ; I live in Boston." And I thought, too, of that story about 
the Americans who got together and had a celebration of the 
anniversary of their independence, who after eating and 
drinking, began to get a little excited over the patriotism of 
their country, and said, "Here is to the United States 
of America," and they cheered as only men will cheer who 
are enthusiastic, and another said, "I will go j^ou one better. 
'Here is to the United States of America, bounded on the 
North by the North Pole, on the East by the rising sun, on 
the South by the South Pole, on the West by the setting 
sun, '" and then they cheered more. But tliat was not sat- 
isfactory, and the most enthusiastic of all said, "I will give 
you a toast worth something. ' Here is to the United States, 
bounded on the North by the Aurora Borealis, on the East 



90 

by the Procession of the Equinoxes, on the South by the infer- 
nal regions, on the West by the Day of judgment.' " That man 
might have been born in Barnstable or Yarmouth or Dennis 
or Sandwich for all I know, but there would have been no 
limit to the bounds of his patriotism and the affection for 
his home. I am reminded that Mr. Swift, when he asked me 
to speak, said five minutes and no more. I have outrun 
that. I want to say, however, in answer to what was said in 
the introduction, that Yarmouth is my benefactor for hav- 
ing allowed its foremost citizen to accept a nomination from 
the opposing party last year. We agreed exactly, he that 
he didn't want to be elected, and I that I didn't want him to 
be elected. And we made this agreement : If he was elect- 
ed I was to go upon his bond, and if I was elected he should 
go upon mine. There was this thing about it. His name on 
a bond would be worth a large part of Cape Cod ; my name 
on his would hardly represent one of its sands. I had the 
better of him there; he has the better of me this afternoon. 

The president then said : " I am glad to welcome here a 
delegation of the Cape Cod Association of Boston, worthy 
sons of those fathers, who left the Cape to seek their fortunes 
in Boston. I now introduce to you Mr. Alpheus H. Hardy, 
of Boston, a member of that association." 

MR. HARDY'S ADDRESS. 

When I was over persuaded by my good friend, Mr. 
Joshua M. Sears, the President of the Cape Cod Association, 
to say a few words this afternoon in response to your kind 
reference to it, I had no doubt of my being able to glean 
from the records of the society something of interest to you ; 
but found to my dismay when I sought access to them 
that the Secretary was in Europe. I then turned to the his- 
tory of the town of Yarmouth, but your orator has exhaust- 
ed all that and I find myself somewhat in the position of the 
dog placed in the baggage car by the station agent, wlio 
answered the inquiry of the baggage master as to his desti- 
nation by saying "I don't know where he's going, he don't 
know, and he's chawed up his tag." 

I have found, however, a copy of the report of the first 
Annual Meeting of the Association, from which it appears 
that it was formed in 1850, with a full membership, repre- 
senting every town on the Cape, except Mashpee. Chatliam 
was represented on its board of officers by the Hon. David 
Sears, as President. There were then thirteen Vice Pres- 



91 

idents, of which Barnstable secured the majority, but Yar- 
mouth, with her proverbial sagacity, laid her hands on the 
Secretaryship and Treasury. From a copy of the consti- 
tution, embodied in the report, I learned that the object of 
the association, was "to encourage and promote among all 
the native-born and descended of Cape Cod, temperance, ia- 
dustry, sincerity, good-humor, charity, the social affections 
and generous impulses," — objects certainly worthy in them- 
selves, but especially useful in binding together those wand- 
erers from home, and to keep alive in them an interest in the 
Cape itself ; and to this end a provision existed that the Oc- 
tober quarterly meeting should be held on the Cape, at some 
place which the Executive Committee should determine 
upon. This custom has fallen into disuse and the neces- 
sity of its revival, I respectfully urge to the attention of the 
President. 

Of the charities of the Association and the use made of 
its surplus funds in aiding worthy lads from the Cape to a 
more complete education than the town schools afford, I 
should be glad to speak in detail, but cannot do so without 
the book. 

Mr. Harden speaks of this gathering as an expression of 
love for the old home, of the desire to turn back to the days 
of childhood, with its associations and to what remains of its 
interests, but to many of us who stand in the second genera- 
tion this is not possible. 

What is there then, to warrant our retaining a personal 
and lively interest in the Cape? For myself, the answer 
and its explanation is simple — it is the most natural thing 
in the world to do, and why ? I remember being told by a 
traveller who met on the plains of Arkansas a party of em- 
igrants from the Black Forest, that when he asked of them 
their destination, was told, in reply, that they should "go on 
until they found a hill." The memory of the mountainous 
land they had left forbade their settling in no matter how 
fertile a plain ; and so every one who has an ounce of salt 
water in his veins naturally turns to the shore, and rests sat- 
isfied only when he has the sea under his eyes, and the 
sound of its waters in his ears. 

To these shores, then, we come, as the blackbirds and 
swallows, in the spring, to our own delight, and with the 
hope that we may contribute something to your welfare and 
happiness, and receive as warm a welcome as they. But 
contact with, and study of the Cape, confirms and increases 



92 

our love for it, and the people who dwell on it. We have 
been recently told, by way of joke, of the importance of the 
" foreigner " to our country. He has built our railways, dug 
our canals (always excepting the Cape Cod Canal.) He 
rules our largest cities ; yes, and claims that he discovered 
the country for us. So indeed he did, but on the Cape this 
fact is singularly clear, that since the days of discovery there 
has been hardly any discernible foreign invasion. Here 
you find the purest old English stock, with a slight admix- 
ture of the best Huguenot blood,which came over with it ; and 
here remains, in full force, the sturdy character and the in- 
stitutions of the Pilgrims, adding grace and dignity to the 
other attractions of the Cape. Buckly, in his " History of 
Civilization," claims that races are practically what their 
natural environments make them ; but it would appear that 
the Pilgrims and their decendants had overcome the envi- 
ronment and on the monotonous level of these shores raised 
as sturdy, as active and enduring a race, as ever swarmed 
from mountain or forest, for conquest, place and power. 
And yet, it may have been environment after all, for if toil- 
ing through these wastes does not give one what is vulgarly 
called " sand " what will? And if holding one end of a cod- 
line all day is not learning " to labor and wait " what is? 
And so the spirit of Longfellow's lines is in this people. 
" Still achieving, still pursuing, " they stand " with hearts 
for any fate," and on these barren sands, and in these wild 
seas, carry the struggle for life to an honorable and success- 
ful issue. 

The Cape Cod Association ought to actively continue 
its contact with the Cape, and you should welcome its mem- 
bers by special invitation to hold that quarterly meeting 
somewhere on the Cape. And, in its behalf, I now wish for 
the old town of Yarmouth, two hundred and fifty times more 
prosperity in the future than she has had in the past. 

President Thacher said : " In that part of Yarmouth 
known by its Indian name Hockanom, there stands a largo 
bowlder; against this rock an early settler built himself a hnt 
in which he and his family passed their first winter at Yar- 
mouth. I now have the pleasure of introducing to you a de- 
scendent of that settler, the Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, of Boston. 

DR. TAYLOR'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. Bradford says, "the character and education of the 
leading men, both of Plymouth and Massachusetts, were 



93 

such as to fit them for the enterprise which they undertook, 
to form a religious and political society founded in the equal 
rights of men, and obedience to God, as their supreme law- 
giver and governor." Such were the men, who, in 1639, only 
nineteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, 
began those institutions and labors, which here have been 
such rich sources of blessing all the way and are crowned 
with such happy results, and which afford such pleasure and 
stimulus on this occasion of review. In the few moments 
alloted to me, permit me to direct attention to some of those 
peculiarities and agencies, which they magnified in their 
plans and work, and which became such important factors 
in all they accomplished. 

First, individualism and deep-felt personal responsibili- 
ty must have been a marked feature of the earlier times. 
They were too near Plymouth, both in time and place, to 
have lost that outstanding trait which so characterized all 
pioneers in human reform and progress. Men are like trees. 
In the dense forest, they are much alike ; growth, appearance, 
and shading, are controlled largely by the pressure of en- 
vironment, in the open field, the trunk and the limbs grow 
after their own fashion. One of the very painful features of 
life in the city is the loss of individualism. Fashion, acts as a 
cramp. The familiar proverb is exemplified if not written 
on the family creed, " Better be out of the world than out of 
the fashion." So in great churches, the overshadowing in- 
fluence of the many renders small and obscure great numbers, 
who, in the end, have no need of a napkin in which to h^de 
their talent, for they have no opportunity to exhibit it. Of 
how many of the great, fashionable congregations it may be 
said as Gray wrote in the Country Church-yard. 

" Perlnaps iq ttiis neglected spot is laid 

Sorqe l:|eart oqce pregqaqt -witlri celestial fire, 

Harids tlriat tt^e rod of eir|pire rqigtjt i\ave swayea 
Or -WaK'd to ecstacy tl\e livirig lyre." 

But there, where the fields were new and everything in 
social, state and religious life, was to be formed on an original 
basis, was just the place to make men and women of 
unique character and here they were found, as their works tes- 
tify, for a tree is known by its fruits, and none but those who 
were alive to the intense personal call, to do with their might 
whatsoever their hand might find to do, could have accom- 
plislied what 7vas done by our fathers and mothers. 

Next the religious thought and life was eminent in all 



94 

they planned and did. This is apparent in the fact that this 
anniversary commemorates alike the organization of church 
and town, for they were coincident or nearly so, one 
and the same. Like the commonwealth of Israel in the 
time of the Judges — a divine model was followed. It 
has awakened a good deal of comment and even bitter 
criticism, that those who came to this land and laid the 
foundation of empire, and church, and all free institutions, 
should have failed in the beginning to make broad and dis- 
tinct the line of demarkation between church and state. 
Having fled, as they did, from a country where the state 
tyrannized over the church, for the sake of civil and religious 
freedom, how natural such a distinction should have been 
carefully drawn ! But this is easily explained, if we under- 
stand aright the great thought and impulse of their being ; the 
Kingdom of God, in the heart and outward form, was every 
thing to them, and civilized society thus constituted was the 
state. There was no aim, no desire to make the state, as such, 
subservient to the church, or the church to be aided by the 
state in other than in this all-absorbing interest. A theocra- 
cy, in their view, was the most natural and reasonable of all 
conditions in civilized society, and out of this thought later 
grew the custom requiring all citizens to contribute to the 
support of the ordinances and institutions of the gospel, first, to 
the one standing order and subsequently, to any other denom- 
ination, which they might favorably join through preference. 
It was abhorrent to their thought of right and duty that anyone 
should live in the enjoyment of citizenship without being a sup- 
porter of the institutions of religion. It was no crime, no matter 
for reproach that the fathers took this highspiritual view of 
things. There conception of duty in this matter, as in many 
others, was in advance of the times. We liave not reached 
it yet, but we surely shall come up to it when the " whole 
earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord, and the king- 
doms of this world have become the kingdoms of the Lord 
and of his Christ ;" when the people and nation are all re- 
claimed it will not matter much whether it be named church 
or state, or both united. O, what a glorious land there 
would be to-dajs if this high ideal of the fathers had con- 
tinued, and made this rich spiritual life the only life of our 
vast country. They planned better than we have builded — 
the honor is theirs, the dishonor, ours. Great value was 
placed upon education by those who founded the church 
and town here. This is shown by the fact that they chose 



95 

an educated ministry for their teachers and leaders. The re- 
cord shows that well-nigh every pastor located here has been 
a graduate of some college. Some have wondered that the 
Pilgrims came from such a small and comparatively unimpor- 
tant region as Scrooby, in England, if they were as wise in 
matters pertaining to church, state and educational needs, 
as has been claimed for them. We say, yes ! what they knew 
not when they left Scrooby, they did know when they left 
Holland, after those years of training and observation there. 
So wherever their feet trod and their hands planted, there 
was the school hard by the sanctuary. So in the beginning 
of things here. Your church homes, j^our private and pub- 
lic libraries, as well as the schools and churches of to-day 
are prompt witness that the spirit of education has been liv- 
ing and breathing through all the ages. It was from here, 
that the pastor who held the pastorate the longest sent three 
of his sons through Harvard College, the eldest of which 
planted a college in what was then the far west, and his liter- 
ary labors remain which reflect great credit upon his exten- 
sive scholarship. The youngest daughter of that same cler- 
gyman sent her four sons through college and into the gospel 
ministry. The eldest of whom was born here, and who at- 
tained to such eminence in scholarship as to attract the at- 
tention of the ripest scholars at home and abroad. He died 
at fifty. 

Your local historians record the names of many others 
of the sons of Yarmouth, who have passed through the 
higher departments of the schools, to honored positions in 
church and state, a goodly company, of which any town may 
be proud. Tlie domestic, family life of the people has been 
a great harmonizing and elevating factor. This impression 
has been derived, not from any extensive contact with the 
people here, for I am virtually a stranger in this early home 
of my parents, and where was the long pastorate of my 
grandparent. But what my mother, who was a widow from 
my infancy, taught me of her childhood home has led me to 
think that Yarmouth was a paradise of homes. Parental 
government was there, the family altar was there, the cove- 
nant of God was remembered there, as recorded in sacred, 
Scriptures, " I will be a God to thee and thy seed.'" Warm 
affection between all the members of the household was there ; 
and the holy Sabbath was there, the most precious day of all 
the week in its home life and sanctuary service. This is the 
way the matter stands, as derived from the source mentioned, 



96 

and strengthened in subsequent years, as I have mingled 
with families, who moved from this vicinity. In one of the 
towns in Franklin County there is a neighborhood known as 
Cape street, because so many went up there and settled. A 
more intelligent, virtuous, religious neighborhood among 
the yeomanry, you will not often find. A broad sympathy 
with the woes and suffering of others, has been a very strong 
formative influence here. This state of things would grow up 
naturally and almost unconsciously in a community situated 
as this town is, with the sea on both sides, upon which so many 
of the fathers, sons and brothers, in years gone, more espec- 
ially, obtained their livelihood. The sea is the highway of 
commerce among the nations, wonderful in vastness and 
power always, but how grand and awful to behold when ris- 
ing into wrath under the lash of the storm king. The dead 
are there, in great numbers, "unknelled, uncoffined and un- 
known." Who can live by the sea, visit the desolate homes, 
see the widows and orphans which constitute so large a por- 
tion of the community as in Marblehead and Gloucester and 
along this Cape, and not be thoughtful, pitiful, and full of 
compassion? Oh, how often in my early home, so far from the 
sea, when the storm was raging in its fury, as we enjoyed 
our own peaceful dwelling, where the blaze rose high from 
the hearth and dispelled the gloom, the parent's voice would 
break the silence, by the exclamation, " a hard time for poor 
sailors to night," and then the prayer would follow at the 
close of evening, that God would be with them on the deep. 
Where did she learn that lesson of pity and prayer, which 
filled her whole life ? Right here by the sea, and from the 
lips and experience of one who here became the husband of 
her youth. However humble was our cottage, liowever 
scanty the daily supply in the larder, no benighted travellei-, 
no homeless vagrant was ever turned rudely from the door. 
1 recdte not these things to laud kith and kin, but to show 
how the flower of kindly affection, transplanted. to the wilder- 
ness one hundred years ago from this congenial clime, lived 
and flourished tliere. One word more. 

It has seemed that pride of place, a feeling of quality, 
has entered pretty largely into the composition of Old Yar- 
mouth, and has transmitted itself from generation to genera- 
tion, not as a blemish, but as a virtue. It has served to keep 
things up; you have thought well of yourselves, and there- 
by have been enabled to make others think well of you. 
Whoever sa^^■ a person who had the good fortune to bo 



97 

born in this legian, who has not been most happy in his birth 
right. Find two men anywhere, utter strangers before, and 
let them discover this common origin, and they immediately 
embrace as brothers. I have witnessed such instances re- 
peatedly. A man said to me the other day, " whenever I 
find a man who came from the Cape, I expect to see one who 
is true and noble." That is the way they talk about you over 
here in Boston. There has been a good deal of feeling here 
and there of late among outsiders that you have somehow got 
into a place that hinders others from getting in as they would 
like. The eminent are often the object of envy to the aspiring. 
Commercial enterprise would like to have this Cape sunken 
so as to make water connection more direct from city to 
city. As this cannot be done, as the next best thing, it is 
proposed to cut you off from the mainland, isolate you a 
little more by the surrounding of the sea; the monster dredg- 
ing machine is up there, near Sandwich, to this end. Now, 
good friends if it should happen sometime during the next 
two hundred and fifty years, that the ship canal, which has 
so long been in the air, should become a substantial reality 
in earth and sea, do not be troubled as though some strange 
thing had happened unto you, but pass right along as of 
yore. Keep sacredly, the virtues j^ou have honored, shut 
closely the gate against the intrusion of anything that 
would mar the strength and beauty of your princely inheri- 
tance. By a patient continuance in well-doing, compel those 
who see you, from near or afar, to exclaim, as they do this 
hour, '■'behold how good and how pleasant it is for breth- 
ren to dwell together in unity." " As the dew of Hermon and 
as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion : for 
there the I^ord commanded the blessing, even life forever- 
more." 



The president, in introducing the next speaker, said : At 
an old time festival held in New Bedford, a son of the Cape 
gave the following sentiment, " Our friends of New i^edford, 
by their pacific pursuits pouring light upon the world." 

Some two hundred years ago in a stormy night a French 
vessel came ashore on the outside of the Cape, of the passen- 
gers, officers and crew of that ill-fated vessel, but one Avas 
saved, one young French boy, too young, even to know his 
name. He was tenderly cared for by his rescuers, who 
named him Jean Crapand, I have now the pleasure of in- 



98 

troducing the Hon. W. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, and I 
ask Mr. Crapo to pour some light on the subject. 

MR. CRAPO'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. President : I cannot claim a birthplace in the old 
Town of Yarmouth, nor can I boast, as most of you can, a 
descent from one of its early settlers. But I feel quite at 
home on Cape Cod. I have so often enjoyed the hospitality 
of your public occasions, and have so often taken a part in 
your public festivities, and have so frequently been brought 
into contact with your social life that I count myself a per- 
sonal friend, with an intimacy close enough to secure for me 
a seat at the family table. 

I am mindful, too, of that little boy, to whom you have 
alluded in introducing me, who, seven generations ago, in a 
wild, terrific north-east gale, washed from a dismasted and 
wrecked ship, was thrown by the breakers on the shores of 
Cape Cod. The people of Cape Cod were kind to him — 
that little, floating waif of humanity — and they sheltered 
him and gave him a home and a chance for life. If my an- 
cestor was not born on the soil of Cape Cod, a distinction 
which you prize so highly, he found in the foaming breakers 
and the sandy beach of the Cape a refuge from an ocean grave. 

In listening to the story of the early settlers of Yar- 
mouth, of the men who left Plymouth to plant here the seeds 
of civil and religious liberty and to found a local government 
resting purely on the will of the governed, the facts which 
impress us are their fortitude, self-denial and suffering. This 
bright, gorgeous summer day on which we commemorate 
their virtues and heroism, typical of the glorious achieve- 
ments and brilliant results which crown the span of two hun- 
dred and fifty years, is in sharp contrast with the hunger 
and cold, the disaster and privation of the early da3^s. It is 
the bleak winter, with its leaden sky and chilling, frost-biting 
winds, and not the pleasures and recreations of the summer 
time, that we associate with the hardy, sturdy, robust, (rod- 
fearing, tyrant-defying pioneers of old Yarmouth. Tliose 
men were disciplined and toughened by the rigors of harsh 
surroundings. Their mental and moral muscles were trained 
by personal sacrifices. They became strong-minded and stout- 
hearted through toil and privation. They breasted the 
ecclesiastical storms, which waged so fiercely in their day, 
with an unflinching fidelity to truth, and as a result we breathe 
a purer moral and religious atmosphere. They were cheered 



99 

by a constant sense of duty and controlled by an unconquer- 
able purpose. And the New Englander of to-day, inheriting 
the Pilgrim spirit, with self-confidence and aspiration, con- 
fronts every emergency and is ready for every undertaking. 
He is ardent, self-reliant and persistent. His public spirit is 
marked with earnestness, progress and independence. 

We have recently heard much discussion concerning the 
relative standard of official and political life in the days of 
Washington and our own time. Whatever may be said of 
the public morals of one hundred years ago in contrast with 
the present, we can point to the record of the early days of 
Yarmouth without any misgivings, and can challenge a com- 
parison with any age or race. This community, which in its 
earl}"- beginnings guarded the spiritual welfare of its mem- 
bers, by making compulsory their attendance upon church 
worship, and which strengthened the common defense by com- 
pulsory military drill and service, in the same spirit protect- 
ed the integrity of official life and secured the highest effi- 
ciency in administration, by compelling, under penalties of 
the law, the attendance of every voter at the town meeting. 
The Pilgrims believed in a democracy which not only per- 
mitted citizenship but made obligatory upon the citizen 
the duties of citizenship. They believed in the practice, as 
well as the theory, of a free and equal commonwealth. Un- 
der such a system, where every man participated in public 
affairs, and where indifference, cowardice and personal ease 
were not tolerated as excuses for neglect of the duties of citi- 
zenship, the political morals of the community were secure. 
In those days there were no party rings or machines ; the pro- 
fessional workers in politics were unknown; and the lobby was 
free from temptation and scandal, since there was no lobby. 
The purity of political life and the safety of the state can al- 
ways be assured b}- the faithfulness and constancy of the 
people in the discharge of the primary duties of citi- 
zenship. We have only to be true to this principle in our, 
day and generation as were our fathers. To this end we 
must educate, as they did, the public conscience to the con- 
viction that political fidelity is simply integrity in the dis- 
charge of public trusts, and that the only kind of honesty 
known to man applies to political as to ordinary duties. The 
Plymouth Colonists held to this doctrine and they acted upon 
it, and they were enabled thereby to organize the freest and 
at the same time the most stable and conservative political 
institutions the world has ever known. 

Lore 



100 

We, their children, are put upon our honor to conduct 
tlie present so that it shall equal the past. 



The President then said, A Poem written by Mrs. Mary 
M. Bray, will be read by her son, Chandler M. Bray. 

POEM. 

Far back in shadowy regions of the Past, 
So far, that truths and myths seem strangely blent, 
A shallop frail from Scandinavian shores. 
Sailing south-west on venturous errands bent. 
Storm-tossed, wave-beaten, neared at last a coast. 
Low-lying, stretched along the waters blue. 
To weary eyes, long vexed with restless seas, 
A sight forever welcome, ever new. 

Upon the deck, amid his hardy crew 

Of Norsemen bold, stood Thor-finn, born to lead. 

Intent and watchful, and beside him there 

As everywhere, his gentle wife Gundride. 

Nearer they came, and sailing slowly by, 

They saw long lines of white and gleaming sands, 

By trailing clouds of fleecy mist o'erhung. 

And called them, "Furdustrandas," " Wonder Strands." 

So runs the legend in Icelandic lore, 

But Thor-finn passed them by ; and the sun rose and set, 

And other mornings dawned and evenings waned, 

And seasons ran their wonted round and met 

And parted, till at length a year had fled. 

A year ! Wliat is it ? In our lives so brief, 

A priceless boon ; but in the larger plan 

Of Nations, it is like a wind-strewn leaf. 

Thus the swift years sped by unheralded, 

Adown the silent arches of the Past. 

A long and dim procession, and behold I 

A century its course had run at last. 

And in the sunlight or the moonlight pale 

Still as before glimmered the silvery sands, 

Yet unexplored, to map or chart iniknown, 

Still were thev " Furdustrandas." Wonder-strands. 



101 

Three centuries more, and then Columbus rose, 
Like a new sun, and proudly led the way, 
From east to west, and men ^ew vigorous 
In the strong light of that inspiring day. 
They turned their faces to the western world, 
They sought with ardor, countries yet unseen, 
And faltered not, although the stormy waves 
Of a tumultuous ocean rolled between. 

And than came Gosnold with his English crew, 

And they were weary of the salt sea fare ; 

So they cast anchor in the spacious bay. 

And dropped their lines and guarded them with care. 

And on the royal bounty of the sea 

Feasted like kings, — and called the shore — " Cape Cod," 

And the new name displaced the olden ones. 

And still to all the world, — it is — Cape Cod. 

In early winter, when the days were short, 

And cold and darkness, dreary spells had wrought 

O'er sea and shore, — hither by destiny led — 

A wind-blown barque, — the Mayflower shelter sought. 

Then in the harbor was the compact framed ; 

Then the white strands by pilgrim feet were trod ; 

" It might have been " ! Yes, the historic site. 

Might well have been some spot on dear Cape Cod. 

But fate decreed it not. They crossed the bay. 
And Plymouth Rock became the chosen shrine. 
Whereon their children in the years to come, 
Should rear a votive gift of marbles fine ; 
A shrine, a new-world Mecca, whereunto 
Should journey those of every race and age, 
In voluntary homage to the men, 
Who left for us this noble heritage. 

Pilgrims of Plymouth ! But they cherished still 
Remembrance of their early camping ground. 
And back to Nauset and to Mattacheese, 
Envoys were sent, on various errands bound ; 
Until in sixteen hundred thirty-nine, 
" A grant was given," thus the old records run, 
" To take up lands as freemen," and to build 
At Mattaclieese, Nobscussett, Hockanom. 



102 

The fine old Indian names, how lunch they mean ; 

All moods of nature in them mirrored lie, 

Promptings of winter's cold, of summer's heat, 

The frowning clouds, the azure of the sky. 

Hints of bold, wooded shores, of rock-strewn plains. 

Of fertile valleys and of sterile hills. 

Of upland meadows, lying green and calm. 

Of leaping torrents and of rippling rills. 

We must not let them slip away from us, 
To drift and perisli in dark Lethe's flow ; 
Nay, rather let us link their melody 
With all the pleasant things that life can show. 
With towns and streets and parks and leafy lanes. 
And summer homes, like one not far away. 
Which makes Nobscussett, still a word of cheer. 
To all the region round about the bay. 

It is the last, sad service we can give. 

To keep alive the memory of a race. 

Whose pomp and power exhaled like morning mist. 

Before the coming of the strange "paleface." 

This let us do, and send the custom down 

To " future generations "yet unborn, 

We who now till their pleasant hunting grounds. 

Heirs of the men who ate lyanough's corn. 

To us the names bring only pleasant dreams. 
But to the Pilgrims, something strange and weird 
Breathed vaguely through the sounding syllables ; 
Some taint of heathendon perhaps they feared. 
Their hearts were sore with tender memories, 
And homesick yearnings for things left behind. 
To their new homes, amid the wilderness. 
Remembrances of England, they would bind. 

The infant settlement at Mattacheese, 

Ere it became a town, desired a name. 

An English name, to soothe the half-owned pain. 

Among the settlers, some from Yarmouth came, 

From Yarmouth by the sea. " We'll build," they said, 

"Another Yarmouth on this wave-washed shore ; 

The soul's demand for freedom and for ]^eace 

May here be satisfied. What seek we more ? '" 



103 

We search the records once again, and read 
The names of those who pioneered the way, 
"Hallet and Matthews, Thacher, Howes and Crowe, 
Simpkins and R3^der, Taylor, Sears and Gray," 
The old familiar names, — how dear they are, — 
Two centuries and a half have rolled away, 
Yet on our streets and in our homes they live, 
Our childhood knew them, — they are here to-day. 

Two centuries and a half I Through all these years. 

The little town has kept its even pace ; 

The Nation's giant growth, it has not shared, 

A "looker on" amid the rush and race. 

Far from the busy centres of great gains, 

The dizzying whir of multitudinous looms, 

Its peaceful atmosphere has never throbbed 

With the discordant jars of strikes and booms. 

No mine with glittering promise lures the crowd, 

No wondrous beach attracts a transient throng, 

Chiefly and best, it is a town of homes. 

With all the elements that make them strong ; 

Of peaceful, prosperous, safe and happy homes ; 

Yet here a world-wide highway opens free, 

And the quick blood stirs with adventurous thrills, 

Born of close contact with the restless sea. 

In the far north, where the low-circling sun. 
Makes night of hours tliat else were counted da3% 
And the aurora with its rosy flame. 
Makes of the night, almost a dawning gay. 
In tropic isles, wliere palm trees lift themselves 
Stately and tall, to meet that burning sun. 
And dark-skinned natives sit in robes of white. 
Smoking long pipes until the day is done. 

In countries where strange accents meet the ear, 
And all the usages of life seem new. 
Where the Mohammedan at sunset kneels. 
Or where the Hindoo shields his food from view 
Of passing strangers, from his race as well, 
Save those belonging to his creed and caste, 
Where men 'to idols bow, and blindly cling 
To the dark superstitions of the past. 



104 

Amid such scenes her sailor-sons are found ; 

Conversant and at ease with foreign modes, 

Equal to the demands of every clime. 

Yet holding still to the New England codes. 

With minds whose steady poise unswerving keeps 

In all their varied wanderings afar ; 

With hearts as true to home and native land, 

As is the needle to the polar star. 

I crave your pardon, if I pause too long, 
Paying my tribute to the work and worth 
Of Yarmouth — nay — that limit were unjust, — 
Of Cape Cod seamen. Where in all the earth 
Can one find men of more heroic mould, 
More nobly brave ; and yet to honors due. 
Laying no claim, content with duty done ? 
Alas ! alas ! that they are now so few. 

She has had other sons, and has them still. 

To whom she well may turn with love and pride. 

In all the cities of the land they dwell, 

Even where the broad Pacific rolls its tide 

In through the Golden Gate. And some have brought 

Their wealth and their renown, and at her feet 

Have laid them, saying " Take and nse. 

For since thou gavest us birth, it is but meet." 

O Town beloved ! Thy children homeward turn. 

This birthday festival with thee to hold ; 

Some have been wanderers from thy liearthstone long, 

And some have seldom strayed beyond the fold : 

But we are here, respondent to thy call. 

Thou hast an equal welcome for ns all. 

The years fly fast, and ive are growing old, 
]iut thou art mistress of a secret rare ; 
Well dost thou keep the charm perennial. 
Thou dost not change except to grow more fair. 
To breathe again thy soft, salt air is bliss — 
We look about ns — is there aught we miss ? 

The fields invite us, as they did of old. 

To gather Mayflowers in the springtime sweet, 

Or spicy swamp-pink with its odorous breath, , 

Or blackberries ripening in midsummer's heat ; 

The rolling hills yet witness to the care. 

Of those wlio thought to plant the pine trees there. 



105 

The (^uiet of the poiidy in whose green depths, 

The darting pickerel hires the angler's rod. 

Is hrokeii still by plash of gliding oars 

And merry shonts, and rooted in the sod. 

The water lily lifts its snowy cup 

Unto the snn, and yields its sweetness np. 

And all along the shore the changeful sea. 
Stretches its shimmering lines, now faintly blue, 
Then bright'ning hour by hour, then dull and grey, 
Again as dark as is the violet's hue 
Lending to thee a grandeur and a grace, 
A semblance of illimitable space. 

The long elm-shaded street its quiet keeps, 
The clustering church spires upward rise, and near 
The library and the school-house standing by. 
Proclaim the tempered spirit reigning here, 
The spirit shown in outward visible signs. 
That rings in Whittier's familiar lines. 

We look about us : is there naught we miss ? 

Ah yes ! the faces that we used to see ; 

Alas ! the voices that we used to hear ; 

Are they not whispering messages to thee ? 

Are they not with thee on thy festal day, 

For who indeed, have loved thee more than they ? 

Shades of the Fathers ! are they looking down. 
And with anointed vision do they see. 
From some far realm, beyond the ether blue. 
All that the future years shall bring to thee ? 
Perchance, perchance, we breathe in troubled cries, 
For we are blind, — the future hidden lies. 

Now we are here ; this is our brief day 

To dream, to work, to love, and to aspire : 

We fain would bring some birthday gift to thee ; 

What can we bring, save love and the desire 

Ever to grow more worthy for thy sake ! 

O, Mother Town ! accept the gift we make. 



106 

The president in introducing the Rev. J. W. Dodge 
said, " The gentleman who will next address you needs no 
introduction from me. He will take for his subject, " The 
First church of Yarmouth " For more than twenty years he 
has been its beloved pastor, and we all of us know and re- 
sj)ect him. 

ADDRESS OF REV. JOHN W. DODGE. 

I am truly proud to be associated with this most interest- 
ing and memorable occasion in the history of Old Yarmouth. 
For though not a native, a residence of twenty-one years is 
a virtual naturalization. If I could not say, as I have been 
saying during the preparation for this anniversary, '■'our 
fathers came here'', I should feel like the hero of Dr. Hale's 
story, " that I was a man without a country". I have been 
long enough on Cape Cod, mingling with her people, and iden- 
tified with her life to feel that her interests are mine, and 
whenever I hear her spoken of in terms of disparagement 
my blood boils with indignation. 

My topic is the old church of Yarmoutli. And on this 
gala day in the old homestead, the grandmother church has 
the chair of honor. No tribute of respect would have been 
acceptable to our fathers that did not recognize the suprema- 
cy of the church. It was the topmost thing in life to them. 
It was in obedience to a conviction of this kind that, when 
it become necessary a few years ago to build a new meeting- 
house they located it on the highest hill in the town. There 
it stands as a beacon for sailors on the Bay, visible for 
many miles at sea as the Parthenon was visible to the sailors 
on the blue Aegean. They did not prize so much the pur- 
ple sunsets over the quiet summer waters that might be wit- 
nessed from its windows, or that they might almost descry 
from its tower, both the harbor where theMayflower lay at 
Provincetown, and the Rock where the landing was made. It 
was even less a matter of thought that it would be hard 
work for successive generations to climb up Zion's hill to 
worship week by week. They were ready to face the sweep- 
ing blasts of the fierce Northers that almost lifted them from 
their feet, and they saw no good reason wliy their children 
should not be as hardy as themselves. The church was the 
inspirer of our fathers though all the self-sacrifices that we 
delight to recall and honor "to-day. The church was before 
the town, the toAvn was for tlie church. They came here to 
enjoy freedom to worshij), aiul built the town around the 



107 

church, as if to maintain and defend it. Though it is true 
that in this colony it was not required by law that voters 
should be members of the church, as it was in Massachusetts 
and New Haven, still they placed the standard of character 
necessary to entitle one to vote, so high that practically few 
others than church members could enjoy the privilege, and 
as a matter of history, the church has been to the life of the 
town, what the si)inal chord is to the body. There has been 
shown here on a small scale, an illustration of what has recent- 
ly been said by one of our most able church historians, that the 
"church is the soul and spirit of all true civilization, of all 
true liberty, of all true knowledge." The life of the town, 
both public and private, has gathered about the life of this 
church. It has been the one essentially unchanging power 
tlirough all the changes of the generations past. 

But now, when you attempt to reproduce the facts of 
tlie past even for a succinct view, you find it has melted 
away as if it were a vision ; we do not know who composed this 
church in the beginning, nor how many of them there were, 
except by inference from the Colony Records. We have 
absolutely no data for determining the female membership. 
We do not know just where the old cliurch stood, nor when 
it was built. We have no record of their creed or their cove- 
nant. We do have some report of their troubles, for they 
very soon got into hot water with their ministers, and the 
trouble lasted so long and gave them so much pain that since 
they got over it in 1667 they have been probably the most 
harmonious and peaceful church that could be found in the 
Commonwealth. There have been twelve ministers before 
the present incumbent, and they have been of as many types 
as the twelve apostles. The first three were English Univer- 
sity men, godly and useful. They brought the old world 
training with them, and were as good as the best of their 
contemporaries. Then came Cotton, grandson of the famous 
Boston minister and graduate of Harvard, a home product, 
(xreenleaf of Newbury, also a graduate of Harvard, who was 
abreast of the times in one respect at least, that he was the 
father of thirteen children. After him, Thomas Smith, of 
Barnstable, who served on a small salary during the hard 
times of the French and Indian war. Grindal Rawson, the 
story teller and wit, who remarked, when no one could find 
the place in the burying-ground where Mr. Cotton's grave 
was, that " he was tlie only one of the first seven ministers 
whose dust was committed to the earth in Yarmouth, what- 



108 

ever the ministers suffered here, the worm did not feed on 
them." We must infer that Mr. Rawson had a somewhat 
uncomfortable time. After him, came the enthusiastic young 
Mr. Green, the son of the Barnstable minister, who died at 
his post six years after, greatly lamented. This brings us to 
our modern times when Rev. Mr. Alden comes on the scene, 
a little man with his antique wig, small clothes and three- 
cornered hat, witty and wise. He worked through the time of 
the Revolutionary war. With him is associated the old, old 
meeting-house of the grandfathers, with its sounding-board, 
square pews, deacons' seat and spacious galleries. Then fol- 
lows Mr. Cogswell, first as colleague, and then a spastor alone. 
He is the reviver of the doctrine of the fathers, placing a 
catechism in every house. We remember him to-day as the 
devoted friend of education, the consolidator of the schools, 
who looked out that the young men of his congregation 
married orthodox wives and the girls good orthodox hus- 
bands ; who did so much towards securing a new church, 
and left means to perpetuate preaching in the same line of 
truth by a liberal legac3\ Of the brethren who still survive 
I need not speak. They are doing good work elsewhere in 
the land. This church has been a teacher to me, and through 
its history. I have found the best introduction to general 
church history. The life of one church is like a geological 
section cut through the country, which shows the general 
character of the earth's crust. The course of the religious 
life of one church is an index of the movements that have 
taken place on the wider field. The first forty years con- 
nects us closely with the English Puritan history, for we had 
ministers trained under those influences Then came the 
gradual decay of spiritual life here, as a part of the wide- 
spread retrogression in spiritual life generally. The pressure 
and trial of wars make their mark upon the cliurch life, as 
do the colonization westward and subsequent revival periods. 
The church to-day is the outgrowth of the past. Hereditary 
influences have been at work developing a certain well- 
defined character. There has been less outside pressure, 
less to deflect us from the primitive Puritan type than in the 
newer parts of New England. The original stock has had 
the field to itself, still we have been in communication with 
the wide world by means of commerce, and though leading 
in earlier days a somewhat isolated life on one side, the 
broadening influences of intercourse with the world, by sea, 
have not been lost upon us. 



109 

A history like this we celebrate to-day, affords an illus- 
tration of the mission of the country church. We naturally 
ask to-day what has this church done for the men and wo- 
men who have lived here through eight generations? And 
the answer is, it lias built up a sturdy, liberal, philanthropic, 
genial character. Its children have been equal to the work 
laid upon them. They could Christianize the Indians, or 
grapple with the problems of war or enterprise as they came 
up, — they are doing it now. I made a journey across the 
country a little while ago, and thought I would look up my 
parishioners. I found them in Chicago, in Kansas City, in 
Flagstaff, Arizona, in Denver and Golden and San Francisco. 
I said to myself, we are here on the rim of the continent, a 
little country church, but really our forces are deployed along 
a line that stretches from ocean to ocean. Does any one who 
visits us in the quiet of our ordinary days ask, what do you have 
to do with the seething life of this great nation ? We answer, 
my friend, we are training the men who are at the bottom, 
and the top, too, for that matter, of these great enterprises. 
It i>! quiet here, we have no looms, no bell rouses you at five 
in the morning, or whistle startles you at noon. But this is 
only home ; our business is in Boston, in Chicago and San 
Francisco. Commonwealth Avenue is very quiet, almost as 
much so as Main Street, here, during office hours. Our men 
are at home to-day ; they throng this tent. Look around you 
here, this is Yarmouth as she is with her children at home. 
To keep up the supply of efficient workers at the front, is our 
mission still, we have been doing it for a quarter millennium, 
and we expect to keep on till the whole millennium is end- 
ed. The people that have descended from the Matthews, 
the Crowells, the Thachers, and the Ryders are to have as 
much influence on the character and life of the future, as 
their ancestors have had upon the past. 

I will give you, Mr. President, this sentiment as I close. 
The old church of Yarmouth^ the spiritual guide of the pasf^ 
the inspire)' of the present, the hope of the future, her spirit is 
everywhere, her heart is here. 



The president then said : " Cape Cod has always been 
proud, and justly proud of its sea captains, a race of men, alas, 
too fast disappearing, but we are thankful that there are 
some still with us today. I have now the pleasure of intro- 
ducing one of them to you, Capt. Thomas Prince Howes, of 



no 

Dennis, and a better seaman never trod the quarter-deck of 
a ship." 

CAPT. HOWES'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Oentlemen : It is not neces- 
sary for me to say that this has been a great and glorious 
day for Yarmouth and Dennis. I think you have all had a 
good time ; as for myself, after hearing the encomium upon 
the men who founded Yarmouth, I feel some two inches tall- 
er than I did this morning, The hour is getting late, and I 
do not propose to weary you by going over what has already 
been said. 

Our fathers made a wise selection of locality when they 
fixed on Yarmouth ; it had many varied advantages as a 
place of settlement. It was in close proximity by water to 
Plymouth, a safe harbor for vessels was close at hand ; Boston 
was within seven or eight hours' sail with a fair wind ; the ex- 
tensive salt marshes offered abundant fodder for their sheep 
and cattle ; fresh water everywhere, iu ponds and springs and 
running brooks, was iu abundant supply. Dennis joins in this 
celebration for the reason that for one hundred and fifty-four 
years it was a part of the town of Yai'mouth ; it included 
the ancient villages of Nobscussett, Sesuit, Quivet on the 
North side, and Bass Ponds on the South side ; two of the 
original grantees made their homes there, Thomas Howes 
and John Crowe, and I think they showed good judgment in 
selecting the eastern part as their future home. It is evi- 
dent they lost no time in laying the foundation of the new 
town : the church was at once gathered, constables were 
soon appointed and order reigned in the wilderness. That 
the men who founded this town came here with a sense of 
justice in their hearts is plainly to be seen in their treatment 
of the Indians, as well as in the readiness with which they 
submitted to a re-adjustment of their division of the lands 
and accepted the settlement by Miles Standish, without an)' 
complaint. Socrates said : " That state in which the citizens 
pay most respect to the laws, is in the best condition in peace, 
and invincible in war." Our fathers were a law-abiding peo- 
ple, with a spirit of reverence for justice, truth and religion ; 
a town founded by such men could not fail of having a his- 
tory to be proud of. The readiness with which our people 
have taken to the sea, has led me to fancy that perhaps some 
of the blood of those old Danish marauders who harried the 
East coast of England for two centuries, may have got mixed 



Ill 

with tliat of Anglo Saxon ancestors, some of whom came 
from East Anglia, where the Vikings mostly settled. The 
division of the town took place in 1793 ; it was done by the 
mutual consent of both sections of the old town — it re- 
quired no lobbying at the State House to effect the separa- 
tion — and the two towns have always dwelt beside each 
other in peace and harmony, Abraham and Lot were not 
more determined to be at jieace than the towns of Yarmouth 
and Dennis during their separate existence. Dennis has not 
had a long history — I can remember a large part of it — my 
father was born in Yarmouth, was nineteen years old when 
the town was divided. When Dennis was incorporated, our 
national flag bore fifteen stars, now forty-two are emblazon- 
ed thereon. Our Government was then so feeble that it sub- 
mitted to pay tribute to the Dey of Algiers, six thousand 
stand of arms and equipments to match. It was one of the fire- 
side stories of my childhood, that Mr. Reuben Taylor of Hock- 
onom, being chased by some of the boats of those Barbary 
Corsairs, fought them from the stern of his vessel with a 
single gun and with only the assistance of the cabin boy, 
the captain and crew having declined to fight, beat them off 
and saved the vessel from plunder and the crew from cap- 
tivity. Such was the condition of the United States Gov- 
ernment in 1793, not one hundred years ago. " There shall 
be a handful of corn on the earth upon the top of the moun- 
tains, the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon." 

The nation then so weak, now rejoices " like a strong 
man to run a race." It may be claimed that Dennis, under 
the circumstances, has very fairly kept pace with the prog- 
ress of the country. We had no mail in 1793 ; we only 
had one meeting-house at that time. The schools were not 
of first quality, although the teachers were often men of 
college education, seldom anything but the three R's was 
taught. Boys hardly ever attended the summer schools af- 
ter reaching ten years of age ; after that age they were sent 
to sea, or put at work on the farm. Now, happily, we 
have changed all that. The town is free from debt, five 
school-houses with fourteen schools afford means for the edu- 
cation of all the children. The poor are cared for, the labor 
of each benefits all ; four meeting-houses furnish preaching 
to all who have ears to hear, and hearts to profit by the 
spoken word, and we have the summer visitor whose gen- 
tle presence is like a bow of promise. We abate nothing of 
heart or hope for the future of our towns. Should the time, 



112 

however, come, when their citizens shall cease to venerate 
the memories we this day celebrate, then the glory of this 
ancient town will have departed, and its last honr have 

struck. 

The president then said : " There is one here who has 
well served this town and country on the battle field, and 
who has been honored in a neighboring state by a seat in her 
judiciary. I now have the pleasure of introducing to you. 
Judge Darius Baker, of Newport, R. I." 

JUDGE BAKER'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. President : " On the festal day of Old Yarmouth, 
which is the common mother of most of us now present, I 
may be pardoned if I boast that I was " to the manor 
born," and that for two hundred and fifty years my ancestors 
have lived and died within two or three miles of the spot 
where the first of them dwelt, Yelverton Crowe, the first 
settler, I believe, on the south side of this town. I should 
be unjust to you as well as to myself, if at this late hour, I 
attempted to say what I have had in mind to speak of, and I 
shall only express my gratification at being here and in being 
permitted to share with you the pleasures of this celebration. 
But I have a duty to another to perform. Some fifty years 
ago a young minister came to the town of Dennis and set- 
tled there, preaching one year on the north side of the town 
and afterwards at South Dennis. I refer to one who will 
doubtless be remembered by some of the older people here 
present, and whose memory is preserved in the names of 
some of the well-known citizens of these ancient towns. I 
mean the Rev. Thatcher Thayer. After a long and active 
life in the cit}^ of Newport, where he has been a great power 
for good, he now lives in quiet retirement, and owing to the 
condition of his health he is unable to be here, although it 
would have afforded him great pleasure to respond to your 
kind invitation in person. He has, however, written a few 
lines commemorative of this event, which, at his request, and 
with your permission, Mr. President, I will now read. 

DR. THAYER'S LETTER. 
"memories of forty-eight years ago." 

Yarmouth ! Dennis ! Not rich indeed in products of 
the soil — though reaping harvests from the sea and finding 
treasures in the sand — but fertile in men. A race of un- 
mixed English — their very names declaring their lineage — 
forms and features and comph^xion sometimes repeating their 



113 

far-away Northmen descent, and one saw in some tall, vigo- 
rous, fair-haired, young seaman on his quarter-deck the very 
likeness of a youthful Viking, such as sailed these waters 
long before the Pilgrims came. A population wonderfully 
homogeneous, with no foreign element to disturb town meet- 
ings, conducting assemblies with instinct for parliamentary 
order and a long-inherited ability to debate and vote in har- 
monious sequence. No extremes of social condition where 
mushroom riches look down with pride and hopeless poverty 
looks up with bitterness ; but diversified competence, where 
the humblest table could furnish at will a "quahaug chowder" 
that no New York or Paris cuisine could approach. No 
need of Socialistic theories to teach provision for each by 
consolidation of all ; and keep men from having nothing by 
leaving them nothing to have — but a social system of natu- 
ral growth, where individual property was sacred and the in- 
dividual self was eminently distinct, while a wonderful ex- 
tent and replication of kindred acted with silent and effica- 
cious force to raise all to comfortable living, and many to 
high rank in their calling. There, too, were genuine homes, 
with family ties so strong that few wandered hopelessly from 
their attraction. In those dwellings by the sea the father 
was honored as in early New England, and the mother ruled 
with a gentle but undisputed sway — far worthier of woman 
than to vote with all creation and be decked with the "semi- 
lunar-fardel ■' of degrees. 

If not many books were found in the houses, at least the 
poetry and essays were of severer taste than most of the 
authors who now usurp the place of Milton and Johnson 
and Addison. From earliest times the people maintained 
their schools, and it would have been hard to meet in Yar- 
mouth or Dennis any wholly illiterate. So, too, they sup- 
ported their churches, listened attentively to preaching and 
discussed the doctrine in intermission, as was the wont of 
their fathers before them. Here, too, lingered the blessed 
heritage from the Puritans — the Sabbath — and from many 
a family altar ascended unfailingly the offering of prayer. 
But my " Sentiment" is too long and I must stop, though it 
is tempting to dwell on scenes and persons of Yarmouth and 
Dennis in those past years. 

Perhaps this view has been a little too rose-colored. If 
so, it must be pardoned to loving memories. 

May God's blessing ever rest on these ancient towns ! 

Thatcher Thayer. 



114 

Mr. E. D. Payne then called for three cheers for the 
President, which was responded to with enthusiasm. 

Thus closed the exercises at the tent, and the assemblj'- 
quietly dispersed. Many embraced the opportunity to re- 
visit the scenes of their childhood and to renew the friend- 
ship of days gone by. It was a frequent remark that the 
occasion had been in all respects most enjoyable, a red- 
letter day in the history of the town. No disorderly con- 
duct was observed during the day, nor the slightest appear- 
ance of drunkenness. 

In the evening a grand reception and ball were held at 
the Nobscussett House, Dennis. The house was tastefully 
decorated with flags and pendants, and brilliantly lighted for 
the occasion, the arrangements being carried out under the 
direction of Mr. John Simpkins, Mr. Albert C. Snow being- 
floor director. The Boston Cadet Orchestra, Mr. J. T. Bald- 
win, director, furnished the music for the evening. The 
occasion was greatly enjoyed by the large company present, 
the most delightful feature of it being the reunion of old 
friends and acquaintances. 

A display of fireworks, in both towns during the evening, 
formed a fitting conclusion to the celebration. Those in 
Yarmouth were exhibited in the vicinity of the tent, those 
in Dennis at the Nobscussett House. They were furnished 
by the Unexcelled Fireworks Company of New York under 
the direction of Mr. Alfred Gorham, and consisted of bombs, 
rockets, red and green fire, variegated batteries, geysers, with 
two set pieces, one of which displayed the motto " Yarmouth 
1639 — 1889 " with sunfire effects and fireworks whistles, 
winding up with a large set piece, with the motto "- Good 
Night," with beautiful combinations. 

Thus ended the Quarto-Millenial of the old town, to be 
ever after enshrined among the most delightful memories of 
those who participated in it. Most of the next day the flags 



115 

spanned the streets, and the buildings retained their gay 
holiday attire as if loath to resume the plain work-day garb. 
The photographer was busy at many points, and thus we 
are enabled to reproduce to some extent a picture of character- 
istic scenes for the benefit of many whose hearts were there, 
but who were prevented from being present. And if, in 
turning from the heroic scenes of the earlier times to the 
quieter tasks of the present, a tinge of disappointment comes 
over us, we may console ourselves with the truth, 

"Tl:|e fatl~|ers sleep, but rqeq ren\airi 
Rs wise, as true, ar\d brave as tl^ey ; 

W^iy cour\t tt\e loss ar\d r\ot tl\e qair\9 
Tt\e best is tt^at v/e l:\aVe to-day." 






VIEWS 



— IN 



Y^^JAOXJTji M DKfifirS. 




THE TENT. 




ARCH AND HALLETT HOUSE. 




THE OLD CHURCH. 




The Mill-Pond and Bay taken from near the site where 
Giles Hopkins built the first house erected in Yarmouth. 




THE THACHER HOMESTEAD, BUILT IN 1680. 




A MODERN COTTAGE. 




THE CHANDLER GRAY HOUSE. 







EPSb« Pll?Tl01(AVUfit Si 



Indian Monument erected b3' Dr. Azariah Eldridge, 
on the border of Long Pond, South Yarmouth. 




THE STURGIS HOUSE. 




AN INTERIOR OF 1750. 




A CRANBERRY BOG. 




Wind-Mill.— Built for Thomas Greenough in 1779 
Located on the North Side of Yarmouth, afterward re- 
moved to the mouth of Bass River ; again removed to 
Its present location at Friends' Village 





The Homestead of Enoch E. Chase; was first built in 
Marston's Mills about the year 1750, and was moved to 
West Yarmouth about 1768, by Thomas Black. It w^as 
bought by Anthony Chase in 1781, and bequeathed to 
his son, Enoch E. Chase, who was born March 4, 1804, and 
died in the same room in which he was born, August 21, 1887. 




■Its ^^^^^^ift.-^l^j;—' ;_»'3ii,K'P„*a',T0{,,ec<.. 



Salt-Mill. — South Yarmouth. Built during the 
War of 1812. 







IVaToK PhoTnlVBAvunE 



Salt- Works. —South Yarmouth. Built during the 
War of 1812. 




Grist-Mill in West Yarmouth. Built about 1775 and 
now owned by the heirs of Joshua Baker. 




Howes House, Dennis, built about 1700 by Prince Howes, 
grandson of the first Thomas Howes and also grandson of 
Gov. Thomas Prince. 




Hall House, Dennis, built about 1700 by Joseph Hall, and 
owned by the Hall family since its erection. 




This house was built by Rev. Josiah Dennis, for whom the 
town was named, about 1735. 




Sears House, East Dennis. It was built in 1711, by Capt. 
John Sears, and has been in the Sears family ever since. '^^ 



147 

APPENDIX. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE PRESENTED TO THE TOWN 
FEBRUARY 10, 1890. 

Your Committee beg leave to submit the following 
statement of the receipts and expenditures attending the 
celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the 
town : 

The Treasurer has received cash from the town of Yar- 
mouth, - - - - - $1000.00 
Contributions from individuals in Dennis, - 492.00 
From other sources, - - - - - 150.65 

Total receipts, . . . . $1,642.65 

The expenses of the Celebration were, - $1,423.42 

There has been paid on account of printing the 

pamphlet report of the Celebration, - $103.50 

Leaving balance of cash on hand, - - - 115.73 

There is also an account due the Treasurer of - 8.75 

To illustrate and to print the remaining portions of the 
pamphlet it will require some $300. Individuals have agreed 
to advance any sums that may be called for in addition to 
the mone}^ already in the Treasurer's hands. Should the 
sale of the pamphlets not be sufficient to repay the individ- 
uals the sums that they have advanced they will make no 
call on the town for such advances. 

The Committee ask to be continued and report at some 
future meeting of the town. 

H. C. Thaidher, Chairman, for the Committee. 

The report was accepted and the committee continued. 

On a motion made by Hon. Henry G. Crowell, the 
town passed a vote of thanks to the chairman for his efficient 
services, and to the citizens of Dennis, for their co-operation 
in the celebration. 



i:iMy'08 



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